Palm Beach Florida Polo Club Owner Charged in Fatal DUI Car Crash
The millionaire owner of the International Polo Club located near Palm Beach, Florida has been charged in a fatal hit-and-run drunk driving accident which happened in February.
News reports state that the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department issued a probably cause affidavit leading to the arrest of wealthy businessman John Goodman, 46, of Houston, TX, who is described by the press as a well-known socialite who travels between Texas and Florida. Goodman's Bentley allegedly struck a Hyundai driven by Scott Wilson, 23, sending the victim's car into a Florida canal, where it flipped over. The victim drowned before emergency personnel could assist him. The Palm Beach car accident occurred in the community of Wellington, Florida in the early morning hours of Feb. 12, 2010.
Goodman allegedly fled the scene on foot and walked to a residence to use a cell phone, where he did not report the accident for more than an hour. He faces a number of charges including driving under the influence, vehicular manslaughter, and failure to render aid (which under Florida law can add gravity in a criminal case).
The victim's family has filed a civil lawsuit in Florida related to this traffic fatality. News reports state that according to police, the plaintiff charged in this Palm Beach area case had a blood alcohol concentration level more than double the state limit (Florida BAC=.08+). Goodman was arrested at a hotel in Miami, Florida, and was released on $100K bond. He is prohibited from leaving the state of Florida as well as drinking and driving, and going to bars.
Palm Beach wrongful death / injury lawyers may be consulted by families in cases where a loved one has died or been injured due to the negligence or recklessness of another party. Hundreds of people are killed in the state of Florida every year due to drunk drivers. Of the 2,978 traffic fatalities in Florida during 2008 -- 875 of those were alcohol related traffic deaths. (Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts Florida 2004-2008).
Polo mogul in jail this morning for role in fatal Wellington crash
Palm Beach Post May 19, 2010
Houston millionaire charged in deadly Florida crash
Houston Chronicle May 19, 2010
Related Web Resource
NHTSA Impaired Driving portal
