From the Insurance Journal, a North Carolina woman has the unusual distinction of being charged with murder for a texting and driving accident that killed an elderly woman.
45-year-old Belinda Strange Hudspeth was arrested las tweek after Highway Patrol troopers claim Ms. Hudspeth was texting while driving and ran off the road striking 75-year-old Lavon Ramsey. Ms. Ramsey later died at a local hospital.
Now Ms. Hudspeth sits in a local jail, charged with multiple offenses including second-degree murder, driving under the influence, texting while driving, careless and reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license.
Per police reports, the suspect was traveling east on Perfection Avenue in an SUV on noon last Saturday when the vehicle ran off the right side of the road. The vehicle struck several objects including a fence, garbage cans and a mailbox. The vehicle then hit Lavon Ramsey, who was on the lawn at a residence on that block when she was hit. It looked like the victim was walking to her neighbors when tragedy struck.
LEGAL ANALYSIS
In Florida these charges may well be different then they are in North Carolina. If this took place in the Sunshine State, the suspect would most likely still be charged with the DUI, careless driving, reckless driving and DWLSR.
However, a good Pinellas DUI attorney may be able to avoid the second degree murder charge. In Florida this would most likely be a DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide or manslaughter charge instead.
Have you or a loved one been arrested for a DUI or a violent crime? Then call the Saint Petersburg DUI attorneys at Blake & Dorsten, P.A. today! These former prosecutors are experienced trial attorneys.
The lawyers at Blake & Dorsten, P.A. handle all criminal and wrongful death cases throughout the Gulf Coast of Florida including Saint Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa Bay, St. pete Beach, Seminole, Gulfport, Largo, Pinellas Park, Kenneth City, Tarpon Springs and Feathersound.
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