A former Fort Lauderdale police officer was found guilty of reckless driving in the 2006 death of a pedestrian, the Palm Beach Post reported.
This case illustrates the importance of hiring an experienced For Lauderdale vehicular homicide lawyer whenever you are charged with an accident that results in someone's death. The officer had faced 15 years in prison if convicted on a vehicular homicide charge. Instead, the jury convicted him of misdemeanor reckless driving, which carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail.
The 26-year-old man was accused of running down a 39-year-old Fort Lauderdale woman with his police cruiser on June 19,2006, as he raced down Federal Highway at speeds of more than 90 mph. Prosecutors said he had just gone off duty and was racing down 26 blocks of road with "wanton disregard for life."
His defense attorney said the victim was drunk and high on crack cocaine when she stepped into the street.
The officer was fired from the police department after the results of an internal investigation found that he regularly drove more than 100 mph in his patrol car, while both on and off duty. The department found that he exceeded 90 mph on at least 90 occasions in the month before the accident and that he was traveling in excess of 110 mph on at least 15 occasions. He once reached speeds of 114 mph on A1A in an area where the speed limit is 30 to 35 mph.
Fort Lauderdale traffic defense Attorney Carlos Canet is an aggressive and experienced attorney who handles all types of serious motor vehicle charges, including drunk driving, reckless driving, vehicular homicide and boating while intoxicated. He represents clients in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach. Call 866-7ASKDUI to discuss your rights.
