ORLANDO, Fla. – Investigators are chasing down leads in a case that caused the death of 2 sisters and injured 2 others in an apparent hit-and-run car accident related to street racing in the Orlando area.
The police reports states that on Saturday, April 17, 2021, the two sisters were turning into the Publix plaza on Babcock Street when their vehicle was struck by another vehicle that was traveling north on Babcock Street.
Witnesses say that a dark blue Chrysler 300 and a black Mercedes were seen street racing at the time of the accident.
Though the dark blue Chrysler 300 left the scene of the accident dragging the front bumper and has not been identified as of this writing.
Police and investigators are asking the public to come forward with any information that may lead to the whereabouts of the owners of that car. If you have any information about this accident, please contact the Palm Bay Police Department or Crimeline at 800-432-TIPS(8477).
Two sisters were caught in the street race and tragically lost their lives as a consequence of someone else’s actions. They have been identified as 61-year-old Noemi Hammen and 58-year-old Maria Ramirez.
Street racing, or street racing as it’s also known, is a common problem in the area. Police have made statements about cracking down on the problem in recent months. The Palm Beach Police Department has even used additional troops to patrol areas known for street racing in Orlando to catch racers and deter others who may want to race.
Lieutenant Kim Montes with the Florida Highway Patrol says their department is working to stop these races.
“Troopers were noticing the uptick in the number of street racers they were hearing about, so they were basically trying to shut these events down,” she told reporters.
“Got to shut them down before anyone could get hurt. We have written hundreds of tickets for the 1 1/2 years for drivers illegally modifying their vehicles for street racing.”
Street racing is not only illegal, but in recent years politicians have been making huge strides to curtail racing in Orlando.
Senate Bill 116 allows Orlando police to build a case against street racers even if they do not see the drivers actively engaged in street racing. This gives police officers a real bite they need to fight against the street racing scene in Orlando.
If you or a loved one were injured in a collision, contact an experienced Orlando car accident lawyer for a free case evaluation: (407) 289-0020.
About the Author
Michael Feiner
Michael A. Feiner is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Steinger, Greene & Feiner. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2001, Michael has devoted his practice to representing plaintiffs throughout Florida in various tort and strict liability cases and has successfully litigated cases against national insurance companies, large public companies, and governmental agencies, resulting in tens of millions of dollars for his clients.
He has handled all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases on behalf of plaintiffs, including automobile negligence, premises liability, medical malpractice, product liability, dog bites, and sexual harassment. Michael’s product liability case against Microsoft, as well as his representation of victims of sexual harassment and abuse by physicians, has garnered him important media attention at both the local and national levels.
Michael is an experienced trial lawyer and successfully argued an appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. In the reported decision Ortlieb v. Butts, 849 So.2d 1165 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003), Michael persuaded the Fourth District Court of Appeal that a directed verdict on liability was appropriate where the defendant did not rebut the presumption of negligence of a rear driver in a rear-end collision.
Michael Feiner
Michael A. Feiner is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Steinger, Greene & Feiner. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2001, Michael has devoted his practice to representing plaintiffs throughout Florida in various tort and strict liability cases and has successfully litigated cases against national insurance companies, large public companies, and governmental agencies, resulting in tens of millions of dollars for his clients. He has handled all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases on behalf of plaintiffs, including automobile negligence, premises liability, medical malpractice, product liability, dog bites, and sexual harassment. Michael’s product liability case against Microsoft, as well as his representation of victims of sexual harassment and abuse by physicians, has garnered him important media attention at both the local and national levels. Michael is an experienced trial lawyer and successfully argued an appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. In the reported decision Ortlieb v. Butts, 849 So.2d 1165 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003), Michael persuaded the Fourth District Court of Appeal that a directed verdict on liability was appropriate where the defendant did not rebut the presumption of negligence of a rear driver in a rear-end collision.