Two Orlando residents were involved in a single-car accident in Orange County that left the passenger dead and the driver injured. When the accident occurred, 43-year-old Jean Luckner Camille was riding in a car being driven by 49-year-old Marie Etiene.
Etiene was driving a 2007 Chrysler 300 north on Rio Grand Avenue at about 9:30 p.m. on April 30, 2016. As the car approached 40th Street, Etiene lost control of the vehicle. The car swerved across the southbound lane. It then crossed the sidewalk and crashed into a fence and a concrete pillar according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Camille, who was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, was rushed to the Orlando Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead at that time. Etiene was admitted to the same hospital where her injuries were diagnosed as minor.
The Florida Highway Patrol is currently conducting an investigation of the accident. An FHP spokesperson said that the reason Etiene lost control of the car she was driving is unknown at this point in the investigation. However, the spokesperson also said there is some suspicion that alcohol might have been an element of the accident.
Because of the possibility of alcohol involvement in the accident, Etiene provided a blood sample that was sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing. Any decision to bring charges in the case will not be made until Etiene’s blood test results are available. In Florida, an individual is considered driving under the influence when blood alcohol content is .02% for those under 21, .08% for those more than 21, and .04% for all commercial operators.
A guilty verdict in a DUI case results in the suspension of the person’s driver license for 180 days up to 10 years depending upon whether it is a first, second or third offense. Jail time is 6 months to 1 year, again depending upon which offense applies. Guilty parties also have a civil liability and may be sued for damages by individuals harmed financially or physically by the accident.
About 40,000 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence in Florida in 2015. There were also 676 fatalities in accidents involving DUI last year.