The risks of using a cell phone driving have long been reported. Unfortunately, a Georgia resident recently became another victim of a simple mistake.
Early Tuesday morning, a 66-year old Henry County man died in a three-vehicle wreck in Florida that allegedly started when another driver dropped her cell phone.
Investigators believe 18-year old Brittany Gonzalez of Seffner, Florida, dropped her cell phone while driving southbound on 1-75, about 40 miles South of Tampa. When she reached for her phone, she drove her Ford Expedition into the shoulder, and then over-corrected, causing the SVU to flip several times. Her vehicle finally landed in the middle lane, facing east, according to aFlorida Highway Patrol report obtained by the AJC.
After the accident, Gonzalez got out of the vehicle and attempted to call 911 as James E. Sims of Stockbridge, who was driving a Chevrolet Suburban southbound, struck the side of the expedition.
Then Angel Pedraja of Miami, who was driving a 2001 freight truck, tried to brake but was unable to avoid hitting the Suburban. Pedraja, 37, struck the driver’s side of Sim’s vehicle, causing the freight truck to turn on its side.
Sims was killed in the chain-reaction crash. Both Pedraja and Gonzalez sustained minor injuries and were transported to local hospital for treatment.
Lanes of 1-75 were closed in the area for several hours due to the large fuel spill in the area.
At Pope & Howard, we have a unique understanding of the legal, factual, and insurance issues behind each case. We only accept catastrophic auto accident injury cases to help us maximize compensation for:
If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident, Pope & Howard is here to fight for you. To schedule a consultation, please call (404) 885-9999 or contact us via email.
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