Kissimmee Man Faces Charges of DUI Homicide

According to information from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old Steven Maffia of Kissimmee has been charged with hitting a motorcyclist while under the influence in an October crash. He was arrested on charges of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter.

Accident reports indicate that Maffia was driving westbound on Johnson Avenue in Haines City when he passed a car despite being in a no-passing zone. He wound up ramming the motorcycle that was coming from the opposite direction. The victim, who was also from Kissimmee, died from his injuries. Maffia only suffered minor injuries in the accident.

Reports also show that Maffia’s blood tests registered at 0.146 percent alcohol, above the Florida legal limit of .08. Maffia posted his $60,000 bond after his arrest and was released from the Polk County Jail.

When drivers take the road under the influence, they are considered to be negligent under the eyes of the law. There is much less burden of proof on a party filing an injury lawsuit against the driver in these cases, because driving under the influence is such an egregious offense. If a person were to suffer serious injuries caused by a drunk driver, they would have a very good chance of receiving significant compensation for those injuries if they were to file a lawsuit against that driver. In this case, Lazzell’s family would have a very good case if they were to file a wrongful death claim.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed because of a drunk driver’s negligence, contact the skilled Orlando car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Salazar & Kelly right away.