Greenwood Boulevard Fatal Accident
An accident involving a 24-year-old man on Greenwood Boulevard resulted in his death. Erik Skiko was driving a 2004 Lexus when he somehow lost control of the vehicle. The car drove over a curb, hit a wall, and then a tree according to the Orlando Sentinel. The accident happened near the intersection of Greenwood Boulevard and Heather Down Lane. Skiko was headed westbound at the time of the collision.
I have taken a street view image from Google Maps to show the area approaching the intersection of Greenwood Boulevard and Heather Down Lane looking westbound. This area appears to be a relatively nice neighborhood with nice tree-lined streets on both sides. While the trees are relatively close to the roadway, they are no so dangerously close to the roadway that they should have been removed. In addition, the sidewalk, wall, and trees are protected by a raised curb. In order to drive over a curb and hit the trees with a regular car, one must hit the curb hard enough to significantly damage the car. This driver was more likely asleep than distracted in my opinion because a distracted driver would likely realize they hit a curb whereas a driver who is asleep may take too long to realize what is happening. The newspaper does not report that excessive speed, alcohol, or drugs were factors. An autopsy will be performed on an accidental death such as this one to determine whether a sudden medical emergency or some substance was a contributing factor. Section 406.11, Florida Statutes states:
(1) In any of the following circumstances involving the death of a human being, the medical examiner of the district in which the death occurred or the body was found shall determine the cause of death and shall, for that purpose, make or have performed such examinations, investigations, and autopsies as he or she shall deem necessary or as shall be requested by the state attorney:
(a) When any person dies in the state:
2. By accident.
Other useful information that may be relevant to Mr. Skiko's survivors is the fact of a $5,000 death benefit available under his own automobile insurance personal injury protection (PIP or "no-fault" coverage). This amount is payable to either the funeral, the estate, the next of kin, or someone who has paid for a funeral.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Central Florida, please contact a Central Florida car accident lawyer for a free consultation.
