On Sunday evening, January 20th, 2013, Panama City resident James Gladney was struck and killed as he was crossing the street. According to police and news reports, the driver of the vehicle, 27-year-old William Scott Rhodes, was allegedly driving northbound on Joan Avenue when he struck 37-year-old Gladney near the corner of Joan Avenue and Houston Street.
Witness statements indicate that Gladney was crossing the street at the time of the accident, after having just left a friend's house nearby. Florida Highway Patrol state that the driver has been placed under arrest and charged with DUI manslaughter. Grieving family, friends and neighbors told a local news station they are demanding changes be made on the stretch of Joan Avenue where the fatal accident took place, as it is allegedly very dangerous due to speeding cars and the lack of sufficient street lighting.
Losing a loved one is an extremely traumatic experience, especially when that loss occurs due to another person's negligence, neglect, or outright disregard for the safety of others. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, or any other type of accident, we advise you contact our firm and speak with a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible. In cases such as this, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim. The personal devastation families experience after the loss of a loved one is unimaginable. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing you with personalized, compassionate representation to seek justice in a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. When you contact our firm, we will be able to review the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident and make a determination about how to best proceed with legal action to recover compensation.
Contact our Panama City wrongful death lawyer at Seaton Law Offices, P.A. for immediate professional legal representation.