A Broward County woman has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and child abuse stemming from an accident that occurred in April, Broward DUI attorney William Moore has learned.
According to media reports, Diann Lopez, who is 34, was driving her sport utility vehicle on April 18, exceeding the posted speed limit on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in Loxahatchee. Her vehicle allegedly sideswiped another vehicle as it crossed the double yellow line, striking a pickup truck driven by 17-year-old Kelsea Frick head-on. A BMW then collided with Frick’s truck from behind.
Frick suffered serious injuries, requiring surgery on her legs, and was also treated for injuries to her head and abdomen. A passenger in her truck was treated at an area hospital and later released. She and Lopez had to be removed from their respective vehicles by emergency responders. Like Frick, Lopez underwent leg surgery and received treatment for head and abdominal injuries. Lopez was unable to maintain consciousness when she was removed from her vehicle. The driver and passengers in the vehicle that Lopez allegedly sideswiped were also treated and released. Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer William Moore says that these injuries are consistent with typical reports from accidents occurring at relatively high rates of speed.
Law enforcement officials found five empty beer bottles, one broken bottle, and six bottles that had not yet been open inside the vehicle belonging to Lopez. It is not clear, however, that Lopez was drinking the beers at the time she was driving. Additionally, her 18-month-old son, Dwayne Lopez, was riding in the back seat of the SUV at the time of the accident. He was released into the care of relatives and police did not provide information on his medical condition or whether he was injured. His mother’s blood samples indicated that her blood alcohol concentration was in excess of 0.1 percent, above the 0.08 percent at which Florida law presumes a motorist is intoxicated.
Lopez was also charged with child abuse because her son was present in the vehicle, says Broward DUI Lawyer William Moore. Under the Florida child abuse statute, an act of child abuse must be an intentional infliction of physical or mental injury to a child or an intentional act which the actor could reasonably expect to cause such injury. A person can also be convicted under the child abuse statute by actively encouraging another person to commit such an act.
Fort Lauderdale DUI attorney William Moore provides outstanding DUI defense in Broward, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Lauderdale-Dade Counties. If you have been charged with a DUI, contact Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer William Moore, P.A.
This article should be used for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice nor as implied representation of any person.