Miami Accident Lawyer Blog

September 6, 2011

Miami Car Crash Lawyer News: Keys Accident Results in Driver Death, 2 Pedestrian Fatalities

MIAMI, FL— September 05, 2011 – A driver and two pedestrians were killed in a violent South Florida collision that occurred along U.S. Route 1 in the Florida Keys. According to the Sun Sentinel, the triple-fatality pedestrian accident occurred in close proximity to Key West in Monroe County, Fla. during the early hours of Sept. 5.

Reports indicated an unidentified driver from Key West was behind the wheel of his/her vehicle when it careened off of U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 5 and slammed into two unidentified pedestrians. The deadly Florida pedestrian accident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m.

Both the driver and the two male pedestrians, whom Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper Nelvys Hernandez said appeared to be homeless, were killed in the Keys accident. There did not appear to be any additional accident victims involved in the U.S. 1 crash, which likely remains under investigation.

According to statistical data included in Transportation for America’s 2011 Dangerous by Design study, Florida accidents claimed the lives of 5,163 pedestrians between the years 2000 and 2009. Crashes and accidents in the South Florida metropolitan area (Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Pompano Beach, FL metro area) resulted in 1,555 of those pedestrian deaths. Based on traffic statistics, Florida is the most hazardous state for both walkers and cyclists.

September 1, 2011

Miami Car Accident Lawyer News: Miami Driver Faces DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide Charges in 5-Fatality I-95 Crash

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—An arrest warrant has been issued for the Miami driver who was inebriated when he became involved in a violent 5-fatality crash that occurred on Interstate 95 in March 2011. According to information provided by the Miami Herald, 24-year-old Carlos Augusto Lacayo, the South Florida drunk driver charged with five counts of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in connection with the fatal I-95 accident, could potentially serve up to 75 years in prison if he is convicted.

Lacayo was behind the wheel of a 2010 Honda Accord (which Miami-Dade court documents indicate belonged to his mother), traveling in the highway’s express lane, when his vehicle abruptly swerved onto the shoulder. Upon doing so, the Honda crashed through a concrete barrier and subsequently slammed into several Miami drivers and passengers who were situated on the shoulder. Those individuals were apparently awaiting the arrival of Miami-Dade Police officers following a previous minor accident with an immobilized vehicle at the time.

Reports indicated five of those Miami car accident victims lost their lives in the violent Florida I-95 accident. Authorities said four of the crash victims, whom were identified as 23-year-old Emerson Michael Kastenholz, 22-year-old Antuan Fernandez Perez, 57-year-old Evidia Rodriguez and 48-year-old Mirtha Queipo, were pronounced dead at the scene of the fatal highway crash. The last victim, 38-year-old Ana Belkis Gomez, was initially rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, though her injuries ultimately proved fatal five days later.

Lacayo was given a toxicology test four hours after the Miami wreck occurred, as he was receiving medical treatment for unspecified injuries. Toxicology results indicated Lacayo had a blood alcohol content level (BAC) of .127. Furthermore, the Miami driver reportedly told one of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers who responded to the scene that he had consumed alcoholic beverages at a nightclub before the horrific I-95 car crash occurred.

Reports noted that accident victim Emerson Michael Kastenholz’s family filed a lawsuit, likely claiming wrongful death, in connection with the deadly South Florida collision. The pending litigation names both Carlos Augusto Lacayo and his mother, Claudia as defendants. The owner of the immobilized car involved in the first minor crash was also named as a defendant.

August 30, 2011

Miami Negligent Security Lawyer News: Man Robbed at Gunpoint Inside St. Augustine Premium Outlets Mall Restroom

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—August 30, 2011 – Authorities from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) are searching for the suspect involved in a recent armed robbery that took place at the St. Augustine Premium Outlets mall. The shopping mall attack occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. on August 28, as reported by News4Jax.

According to the unidentified 40-year-old crime victim, a robber attempted to steal his wallet as he was drying his hands in one of the outlet mall’s restrooms. A physical fight reportedly broke out before the robber retrieved a firearm from his waistband and held it up to the victim’s head, allegedly stating, “I will (expletive) kill you and your kids outside.” The robbery victim then surrendered his wallet and the thief fled the scene with another unidentified man, who appeared to have been an accomplice in the mugging.

Speaking with St. Johns County investigators, the victim described the armed robbery suspect as an approximately 250-pound black man in his 40s. The robbery suspect, who was also said to be around 6 feet tall, apparently had short length hair and no facial hair. Authorities have released a composite sketch of the robber to the public and urge any witnesses or individuals with information concerning the mall robbery to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS.

The apparent robbery accomplice was described as an approximately 160-pound black man who appeared to be just over 6 feet tall. That suspect also had short length hair and no facial hair at the time. The Florida armed robbery victim told detectives that the suspect’s weapon appeared to be a black 9 mm semiautomatic Beretta handgun.

It was not clear if the offender left the mall by foot or by car, nor did reports mention if there was any surveillance footage of the suspect. Investigations into the case of armed theft were expected to be underway.

August 25, 2011

Miami Crime Victim News: Five People Arrested in Miami Gardens Robbery, Fatal Shooting of Brink’s Courier

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—FBI agents arrested five people following a Miami Gardens robbery that ended with the death of a 26-year-old Brink’s armored truck guard. According to information provided by the Miami Herald, the robbery and subsequent fatal shooting occurred at the Calder Casino and Race Course on August 21.

Reports indicated 26-year-old Hollywood resident Uri Steven Ammar, as well as 25-year-old Vladimir Louissant, 26-year-old Victoria Barkley, 23-year-old Byron Kyler and 26-year-old Reginald Mitchell, whom all reside in Miami Gardens, face unspecified criminal charges in connection with the fatal Miami-Dade shooting. Officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced the arrests on Aug. 22.
At approximately 5 p.m. on Aug. 21, one of the named offenders sat on a bench outside the Miami Gardens casino, awaiting the return of a Brink’s armored car courier. When Brink’s employee Alvaro Lopez Ramos did indeed return to the armored truck with a bag of money, gunfire erupted.

While the gunman subsequently fled the scene, Ramos suffered severe gunshot wounds, which eventually proved fatal. Although details concerning the violent armored truck robbery and fatal shootout remained limited, reports noted that several Brink’s armored cars have been robbed over the past few years. The Miami-Dade robbery/murder case is underway.

August 25, 2011

Miami Crime Victim Attorney News: 2 of 5 Suspects Arrested in Fatal Robbery, Shooting Outside Calder Casino Were Employees

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—Federal prosecutors announced on Aug. 23 that two of the five individuals whom South Florida Violent Crimes Task Force members arrested in connection with a recent robbery and fatal shooting of a Brink’s armored truck courier at the Miami Gardens-based Calder Casino and Race Course were actually employees at the casino. The violent robbery/murder happened around 5 p.m. on August 21, according to information provided by NBC Miami.

Officials apprehended 26-year-old Hollywood resident Uri Steven Ammar, as well as 25-year-old Vladimir Louissant, 26-year-old Victoria Barkley, 23-year-old Byron Kyler and 26-year-old Reginald Mitchell, all of whom reside in Miami Gardens, for their involvement in the deadly shooting and robbery of 26-year-old Brink’s armored truck guard Alvaro Lopez Ramos.

Previous reports indicated Louissant waited for the Brink’s employee Alvaro Ramos to return to his armored truck, accompanied by Calder employee Uri Ammar. When Ramos did arrive, Vladimir Louissant shot him next to the armored truck, which was parked outside Calder Casino and Race Course. The shooting victim sustained fatal bullet wounds in the incident.

Louissant, on the other hand, fled the scene in Byron Kyler’s truck after robbing the courier of about $345,000. Reginald Mitchell, also an employee at the Miami Gardens casino, was identified as the getaway driver.

Victoria Barkley was identified as the individual who picked up both Mitchell and Louissant after they dropped off the truck used to flee the scene of the Miami Gardens shooting.

All detained suspects were reportedly denied bond. The case is ongoing.

August 24, 2011

Miami Crime Victim News: Man Injured in Fort Lauderdale Riverfront-Entertainment Complex Stabbing

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—An arrest was made following a violent stabbing incident that occurred at a Broward County-based entertainment and retail complex during the early hours of August 21. According to information provided by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the 24-year-old stabbing suspect was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in connection with the attack, which left a 20-year-old man hospitalized.

Reports suggested 24-year-old Shaliko Sarkisyan stabbed 20-year-old Julian Gomez in the back after an argument spurred a short physical fight between them. It is suspected that a woman might have been an accomplice in the attack, which occurred in a bathroom at Las Olas Riverfront Entertainment Complex in Fort Lauderdale at approximately 3:10 a.m.

The unidentified female, who was said to be about “5-foot-5 and 150 pounds, with brown shoulder-length hair,” is suspected of ditching the knife in a woman’s bathroom before leaving the scene. Sarkisyan, on the hand, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

The Fort Lauderdale stabbing victim was rushed to Broward General Medical Center following the stabbing incident. He was allegedly deemed stable in the hospital on the night of August 21.

While it remained unclear if any security guards were on duty when the assault occurred, officials from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department are expected to conduct a full investigation into the stabbing case.

August 18, 2011

Miami Boat Accident Attorney News: Child Hit By Propeller Flown to Jacksonville Beach Hospital as Trauma Alert

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—A young boy was airlifted to a Jacksonville Beach hospital as a Trauma Alert following a horrific boating accident that occurred on the Intracoastal Waterway. According to information provided by First Coast News, a 6-year-old boy fell off a boat and was struck by its propeller around 6 p.m. on August 17.

Reports indicated officials from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department (JBPD) were dispatched to a boat ramp in close proximity to the 2500 block of Second Avenue North upon being notified of a boat accident on the Intracoastal Waterway. According to Tom Bingham, a police spokesman, authorities were informed that a child had fallen off a moving vessel and was subsequently hit by its propeller.

Although details concerning the Florida boating accident remained scarce, investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are expected to conduct a full probe into the incident. The child, who was rushed to Baptist hospital via medical helicopter, suffered a boat propeller injury was deemed to be non-life threatening.

According to statistical data provided by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), 4,730 boating accidents occurred nationwide during the year 2009. Those boat crashes and incidents resulted in a total of 736 boating deaths and 3,358 injuries. Florida accidents resulted in 68 boating fatalities in 2009 and 79 deaths the following year.

Drowning was deemed to be the main cause of death for victims involved in fatal accidents recorded statewide in 2010. Sixty-two percent of the 79 casualties recorded that year (49 victims) were attributed to drowning, while 34 percent of fatalities (27 victims) were attributed to trauma-related injuries. The cause of death for the last four percent of statewide boating deaths (3 victims) recorded that year remained unknown.

August 17, 2011

Miami Sexual Assault Lawyer News: FSU Has State’s Highest Rate of Forcible Sex Crimes on Campus

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—August 17, 2011 – In analyzing U.S. Department of Education data concerning crime on college campuses during the year 2009, ABC Action News I-Team reporters found that the rate of forced sexual encounters at Florida State University (FSU) was twice as high as both Tallahassee-based Florida A&M University and Winter Park-based Rolllins College, which had the next highest rates of on-campus sexual assaults within the state.

According to reports, although FSU authorities made self-defense classes available to all female students interested in taking them since 1996, there were 10 cases of sexual assault reported on campus in 2009. The classes are reportedly offered through the university’s “rape aggression defense” program.

Terming college campus rape and sexual assault a “silent epidemic,” the U.S. Department of Justice estimated that the majority (as many as 95 percent) of forcible sex offenses are not reported to officials. Furthermore, it is estimated that about 25 percent of female students are subjected to an unwanted sexual encounter at some point during their college career.

Additionally, data posted on the American Association of University Women (AAUW) website stated that nearly half (40 percent) of sexual assault and rape victims unfortunately develop sexually transmitted diseases (STD), while just about as many seek mental health treatment following their attacks.

August 16, 2011

Miami Crime Victim News: Dania Beach Motel Shooting Sends Man to Hospital

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— August 16, 2011 – The Broward Sherriff’s Office has launched an investigation into an injurious shooting that occurred in the parking lot of a Dania Beach motel at approximately 12 a.m. on Aug. 15. According to information provided by NBC Miami, while the shooting victim was rushed to Broward General Hospital after suffering multiple bullet wounds, the gunman’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Reports indicated employees at Red Carpet Inn, located along the 24000 block of State Road 84 (SR-84), called police when an unidentified man showed up at the front office after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds on the side of the motel. The masked gunman, who remains unidentified, subsequently fled the scene.

Broward deputies said they are looking for the shooter, who reportedly used a semi-automatic pistol during the violent attack. Witnesses alleged that the gunman’s four-door getaway car, which might be a Japanese model, was either maroon or a deep red colored vehicle.

Responding emergency medical services (EMS) personnel transported the shooting victim to Broward Medical Center. He remains hospitalized in stable condition. The search for the Dania Beach gunman is ongoing.

August 9, 2011

Miami Rape Victim News: Ex-Employee Files Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Carmaker Shelby Howard

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—August 8, 2011 – A lawsuit seeking damages in excess of $5 million was filed in L.A. County Superior Court on behalf of a woman who once worked as a receptionist for renowned automotive designer Carroll Shelby. The legendary car-maker, best known for designing the Ford Mustang Cobra, is being accused of sexually assaulting his former employee and failing to take any “corrective action” after she reported being raped by another one of his employees at his own home, as reported by TMZ.
According to information provided, Angelica Smith was hired as a receptionist for the famed automaker in 2005, but claims she was practically regarded as a “personal servant.” Smith contended her job duties often included “grocery runs, liquor runs, pornography runs.”
Not only does the sexual assault lawsuit claim “on at least one occasion, Shelby himself sexually battered [Smith] by groping her,” it also accuses the car designer of disregarding her allegations that another one his workers “drugged and raped” her. Both sexual attacks allegedly occurred within the confines of Shelby’s home.
Furthermore, the suit alleges that Smith’s employment was terminated after she reported the alleged rape to her employer. Defendants named in the pending lawsuit included Carroll Shelby, the companies he owns and the unidentified employee who allegedly raped her in Dec. 2010. The sex assault case is underway.