The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

One Emmanuel Mejia, a 20-year-old amateur boxer, was working his temporary job for Florida Refuse Services in late August, wondering whether to go professional. He had been training since he was nine and was feeling ready to start doing tournaments. He had a backup plan too, of becoming a nurse.

As he was about to empty a can, he heard a noise behind him and turned around. A car was very close and barreling towards him. He jumped so that his waist would not be crushed against the garbage truck. He remembers being hit and rolling off the car’s hood on to the grass.

He quickly took out his cell phone and called friend, asking him to tell his mother that he had been hit by a car. He dimly remembers a helicopter ride and nothing else until about two weeks later, when he woke up in hospital.

Both Legs Amputated

His right leg was gone from halfway up the thigh and his left leg gone below the knee. His right index finger was also gone and half of his right thumb. The doctors told him that as they operated on him, his heart had stopped beating three times and they had revived him.

His parents, family, friends, and girlfriend are supporting him through the anger and depression he now feels. He will be transferred shortly to Tampa General Hospital to be fitted with prosthetic legs and to have physical therapy and other rehabilitation. He has a lawyer representing him.

Careless Driver Admitted he Was Texting

The driver of that car was one Stephen Horne, aged 26, who has been arrested on charges of reckless driving with serious bodily injury. That is a third degree felony and brings a prison term of up to five years. He is in jail on $15,000 bail.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant to seize Horne’s cell phone. Emergency workers had told the Florida Highway Patrol officer that right after the crash, Horne had stated that he had been texting on his cell phone.

Just last month, the Polk County Commission voted to prohibit texting by county employees when they are driving on county business.

On average, a pedestrian-automobile “accident” kills someone every 108 seconds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pedestrians and road workers have no defense. However, they do have legal recourse after the accident.

If you have been hurt by a distracted driver and would like to know more about your legal rights and options, please contact our auto accident attorneys today for a free case review. We have offices in every state.

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