[Windguy]

Originally Posted by Bjeanj

I looked up Mercedes dealerships, and the closest one is in either Gainesville or Orlando. So, I don’t think it was a clear attempt to avoid prosecution.

Dealerships do not do body work. There are plenty of body shops nearby. She was definitely trying to avoid prosecution.

[Scott O]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Unfortunately, Florida law only allows a maximum of 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

how long do you think an 89 year old lady would last in prison...kinda a moot point

[Windguy]

Originally Posted by Gulfcoast

I hope they took her license because there was clearly evidence of some sort of accident.

My 90yo mother had a heart attack while driving and hit another car. She died in the hospital a few hours later. When the cop called me to inform me, he asked if I knew if her license had expired many years earlier. I was living out west at the time and had no idea.

Just because someone loses their license doesn’t mean they will stop driving.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by My Daily Run

An 89-year-old Villager has been arrested in a hit-and-run crash that injured two bicyclists in The Villages.

Marilyn Jean Hamilton has been arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol in the Oct. 30 hit-and-run crash that left 60-year-old Jessica Laube of the Village of Dunedin with a serious head injury. Her husband, 68-year-old Robert Hunter had been riding with her on Morse Boulevard and also was struck by Hamilton’s white Mercedes.

Im sure most prople read this in the paper so there is no need to blast her name all over here too. Thats pretty lousy. Shes 89, trying to take care of herself and had an accident. She left out of fright, im sure.

[Windguy]

This accident may have been avoided if she had been driving one of the new smart cars that assist in avoiding accidents. Fully self-driving cars (once fully developed) would be even better.

Maybe those of us who have elderly parents should consider getting or encouraging them to upgrade technology. The next biker struck may not survive the accident. How would you feel if it were your parent who killed someone?

[Windguy]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

Im sure most prople read this in the paper

People still read the paper? I don’t know anyone who reads the paper.

[La lamy]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Unfortunately, Florida law only allows a maximum of 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

For a hit an run that could have caused death or serious disability?!!! That's insane.

[La lamy]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

Im sure most prople read this in the paper so there is no need to blast her name all over here too. Thats pretty lousy. Shes 89, trying to take care of herself and had an accident. She left out of fright, im sure.

WHAT?! You defend that?!!! Maybe we've got another person to watch for hit and run possibility. :hdear :

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by My Daily Run

An 89-year-old Villager has been arrested in a hit-and-run crash that injured two bicyclists in The Villages.

Marilyn Jean Hamilton has been arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol in the Oct. 30 hit-and-run crash that left 60-year-old Jessica Laube of the Village of Dunedin with a serious head injury. Her husband, 68-year-old Robert Hunter had been riding with her on Morse Boulevard and also was struck by Hamilton’s white Mercedes.

As no one has died yet, it seems that this hit and run accident, fleeing the scene of an accident, failure to stop and provide medical attention, etc., is a Third Degree Felony in Florida with a penalty of five years in prison OR five years of probation and. $5,000 fine. As days passed before the woman was found, who knows if she was DUI. She won’t be charged with that.

If one of the victims dies, it becomes a First Degree Felony with up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If she was also DUI, there is a four year mandatory minimum sentence.

Losing one’s license is traumatic—it changes one’s life a lot, quite often. Of course, being knocked off a bicycle and spending time on a respirator following a serious head injury is also pretty traumatic. It can often lead to a permanent change in one’s life.

Some of us may say five years of probation and a $5,000 fine is too much for an 89 year old woman, and others may say it isn’t enough. However, I would be shocked if she doesn’t also face a personal injury lawsuit and have to spend time in court defending herself from that. That is very stressful. It is also likely to be very expensive, possibly well beyond what her insurance will cover.

[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by Mrprez

Is bond supposed to be punitive? I thought it was there to ensure that you will return for your hearing/court dates?

A $10,000 charge for return insurance is not tying her down. the $1,000 deposit is chump change and the whole bond is covered by her car as collateral. Ten times that bond would be more reassuring. Also, taker her keys with her license to keep her off the roads.

[Shadia328]

Thank God this person has been found. Prayers for the bicyclist. Bail is WAY too low!

[Rga20]

The criminal penalties will be limited probably, however, the civil claims will be huge...and rightfully so.

[merrymini]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

Im sure most prople read this in the paper so there is no need to blast her name all over here too. Thats pretty lousy. Shes 89, trying to take care of herself and had an accident. She left out of fright, im sure.

Her name is not privileged. She is accused of committing a crime and leaving two people to die in the street. Your lack of compassion for the innocent victims and their families is duly noted. I hope the family of the victims sues her for everything she has. An accident can happen but you do not leave people to die in the road.

[Singerlady]

Originally Posted by Bjeanj

I looked up Mercedes dealerships, and the closest one is in either Gainesville or Orlando. So, I don’t think it was a clear attempt to avoid prosecution.

However, I think that leaving the scene of a personal injury accident DOES demonstrate an attempt to avoid prosecution. Caused by.... can only speculate. Any of a number of things.

The location of the closest Mercedes repair shop has nothing to do with her intent to avoid or not avoid prosecution. She took it to a shop instead of turning herself in or staying at the scene of the accident. Clearly she knew what was going on and did not want to be found.

[Singerlady]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Unfortunately, Florida law only allows a maximum of 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

We’ll take that with possible other upgraded charges depending on the woman’s condition going forward.