Fruit Cove, FL (December 23, 2019) – Yesterday morning, December 22, one person was killed and another was injured in a DUI accident on Bishop Estates Road.

Police now claim that a 16-year-old driver is facing DUI charges. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office investigated the collision where they found that his 18-year-old passenger was thrown from the vehicle after it crashed into a tree. The passenger was severely injured and tragically died at the hospital.

Police claim that the driver, 16-year-old Jonathan O’Brien, was headed west around 3 a.m. in the morning when he left the roadway due to drunk driving. When police arrived, they said that he smelled strongly of alcohol.

O’Brien has since been charged with DUI, DUI involving serious bodily injury, and DUI involving property damage.

There was also a 17-year-old passenger in the vehicle who was treated for minor injuries.

The investigation into the circumstances of the collision continues.

We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victim at this time. Our thoughts are with the injured victim and their family in hopes of a full recovery.

DUI Accidents in Florida 

In 2017, over 5,000 accidents took place due to the negligence of drunk drivers. Drunk driving is seen as one of the most dangerous acts on our roads, which means that many lives are taken and many parties are injured due to these negligent acts. If you have been harmed in a DUI accident you might be feeling lost and confused about your options moving forward. It is important that you speak with a Florida car accident attorney as you move forward.

At Sheftall & Associates, our skilled attorneys understand how overwhelmed you might be feeling following a collision and how fast the bills continue to pile up. For instance, you might face damages that you have never experienced before such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. You should always have an attorney on your side who can help you through these challenging times. Please contact our accident attorneys in Florida at 904-647-2296 to find out what options you have moving forward.

Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that, to your knowledge, is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.

Disclaimer: As members of the local Jacksonville and broader Florida community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. This is not a solicitation for business, and this information should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. You should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation.