Last month, a multi-car accident occurred resulting in a former Miami Heat basketball player being charged with fleeing the scene of a crash. Initially, two vehicles got into an accident when one rear ended the other, spinning the first car into the median. Shortly after, a sports car driven by the former Miami Heat player, Alonzo Mourning, collided with the two cars in the initial crash.
By this point, neither of the two drivers of the first two vehicles was in their cars. After the collision, Mourning got out to make sure everyone was okay and then drove home. One man was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the first crash while the other has been charged with careless driving. So how did Mourning end up with charges as well?
Upon returning home, Mourning apparently called police to report the crash. Prompted by law enforcement, Mourning went back to the accident scene where Florida Highway Patrol was apparently investigating the crash. But because he left the scene of the accident, he is facing criminal charges.
In addition to the criminal charges, Mourning has also been named in a lawsuit filed by one of the accident victims. The victim who filed the lawsuit was the driver charged with careless driving. It is unclear whether he suffered any injuries or what specific claims have been made in the lawsuit.
Florida Highway Patrol has determined that neither accident was the result of an alcohol-impaired driver.
Car accident victims can file a civil suit in the wake of accident if they are seeking compensation. This type of award is not necessarily limited to compensation for injury-related medical expenses and lost wages. In some instances, the victim can seek compensation for damage to property, as it appears is the case in the crash involving Mourning.
Source: Miami Herald: “Alonzo Mourning charged with leaving crash scene,” Diana Moskovitz, July 25, 2011.
