Stephen J. Waters Killed in Accident in Tampa, FL
Tampa, FL -- Stephen J. Waters, 39, died from injuries suffered in a collision with a dump truck in Tampa, FL Monday, February 20, 2017.
The incident occurred on East Columbus Drive around 5:40 a.m.
According to officials, Yribar-Hernandez, the owner of Yribar Jr. Trucking, was operating the truck involved. It appears his vehicle struck Mr. Waters near North 53rd Street. Police officials claim the truck fled the scene of the incident. Owing to witness descriptions, authorities were able to track the vehicle down, detaining Mr. Yribar-Hernandez at N. 50th Street & Interstate 4.
The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.
map of the area
Commentary
Based upon reports, Mr. Yribar-Hernandez is not only the alleged driver in this accident, but also the owner of the trucking company.
Why does this matter? A lot of people assume that after an accident that a trucking company will do the right thing by those they have injured. In this particular case, such hopes would be ill-placed. The driver (allegedly) couldn't even be bothered to stop and render aid to someone dying by the side of the road. Someone only dying beside the road because of his actions. Is he going to wake up on the righteous side of the bed and decide to take responsibility for his actions now?
In my experience, when a guy tries to run from his mistakes, he doesn't stop running until someone catches up to him. On this night in Tampa, the police had to catch up with him after the accident. It will probably take a determined effort on the victim's family's part to chase him down (metaphorically) and hold him to account for his outrageous behavior.
Most trucking companies at least give victims and their families the illusion of sympathy. They hint that they'll do the right thing, before they lawyer up and litigate. Of course, these are the same companies that would probably stop to try and aid someone stricken beside the road.
--Grossman Law Offices
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