Personal Injury Law

Boating Under the Influence leads to Crash and Loss of Arm by PBSO Deputy

By Mark R. Hanson

Last June, while off duty, PBSO Deputy Cheryl Griffin was involved in a horrible boat crash that left her in a coma for several weeks and resulted in the amputation of her right arm. Her passenger suffered minor injuries. The community rallied with sympathy, fund raiders and a blood drive. Deputy Griffin suffered a tremendous loss for sure. Now the accident investigation has been released and has revealed Deputy Griffin was speeding in a personal 20-foot motorboat through a low wake manatee zone. According to the reports she was drunk more than twice the legal limit. Her passenger was also drunk.

This tragedy most certainly could have been avoided. Deputy Griffin will not face DUI charges by the State's Attorney since it was felt she has already paid a high price. True enough but she didn't have to pay at all if she had been using care and common sense and followed the law that she has been charged to enforce. My sympathies continue to go out to her and her accident should be an example for all boaters that it can happen to anyone if they are not careful.

Click on the following link to read the Memo on the PBSO Deputy Boat Crash Investigation from the State Attorney's Office

Click on the following link to read more on the PBSO Deputy who lost arm in June Boat Crash was Drunk - Page 2 Live - The Palm Beach Post

Full post as published by LaBovick Injury Law Blog on January 13, 2011 (boomark / email).