The Bruner Law Firm > Blog > Wrongful Death > DUI charges filed against driver involved in fatal Florida motorcycle crash

DUI charges filed against driver involved in fatal Florida motorcycle crash

Charges were recently filed against a driver in Florida due to suspicions that she was under the influence of alcohol when she caused a motorcycle wreck that resulted in a fatality, a report of the Miami Herald stated on September 19.

Reports said 25-year-old Mary Elizabeth Bailey surrendered to state authorities on September 16 after crashing into a motorcycle carrying two people on August 1 near Sugarloaf Key. Bailey, who admitted to being intoxicated, drove her vehicle away from the accident scene after it occurred. One occupant of the motorcycle died as a result of her injuries; the other occupant suffered serious injuries as well. Several charges related to DUI, manslaughter, and property damage were filed against Bailey, who was already in custody.

The Fort Walton Beach wrongful death attorneys at the The Bruner Law Firm know how difficult accidents like this are for families. We send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victim as they mourn the recent loss of their loved one.

Categories: Wrongful Death

SEE WHAT OUR

CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

I called the Bruner Law Firm after my accident and Vince Bruner Jr took the case and hit the ground running!! He did not quit until I was offered a fair and decent settlement. He answered any questions I had all throughout the case very quickly and kept me informed at all times! He took the time to explain any parts of the law I didn’t fully understand. Additionally, the entire staff was very friendly! If you need a great lawyer filled with compassion call Vince Bruner Jr he will take excellent care of you!!!

I was hit by a car on my bicycle. My femur was broken, nose broken & hip dislocated. As a result of my accident, I became homeless. Drew Bruner got me an advance on my settlement. Because of that, I was able to get a place to live. If it wasn't for him, I probably would have frozen to death in 24° weather. As far as his services are concerned, he went out of his way to help me. He did research for me on things that had nothing to do with my case, and he worked tirelessly to get me the best settlement offer in the shortest amount of time. I am forever grateful for the kindness he showed me. 5*, thanks Drew. 😊😙

n January 2020 my child was a passenger on a motorcycle that was hit by a car. Drew sat down with us, explained the way “no fault” insurance worked and laid out what to expect. He answered all our questions and responded quickly to my emails. If your in a no win situation because your the little guy against the insurance company’s and medical providers, call Drew, he’s a good guy to have one your side! I pray we never end up in a situation like this again, but if we do, Bruner Law Firm will be my first call!!

After dealing with a very unexpected tragic loss of my husband, due to a motorcycle accident that my husband was not responsible for, Mr. Vince Bruner has been incredible along with his staff for helping me and my children with this case. They have definitely helped throughout this already hard enough time of loss and has brought a lot help and comfort throughout all of this. They stay on top of everything, very good at keeping me up to date on everything as this is already a not so easy and fast paste case to go through, they definitely do all they can to make it as fast and easy going as possible. Just speaking from my personal experience. I don’t regret going to Bruner law firm to help me with this case!!

Hiring Drew Bruner to handle my accident was the best decision I could have made. After waiting for two years for the insurance company to not acknoledge my claim I called Drew Bruner and he had it closed in less then 6 months. He also helped my son with even more success after being struck on his bike (different circumstances and better insurance company). He has changed our life and circumstances and did it with grace, persistence and a whole lot of patience with me and an insurance adjuster from hell. Thanks again Drew!!!!!!!!!

Getting in a car accident is a very stressful and life changing experience. I met some wonderful people that helped me out of my car wrapped in their child’s blanket after going into shock realizing that I walked away from being hit by a drunk and high delinquent. One of the ladies recommended Burner Law firm. After, contacting Drew my life changed forever. I met someone that was looking out for my best interest. I was raised by a great woman that taught me you can’t miss nothing you never, had in your life. This allow Drew, the time to work my case without hassles from me. Drew, always gave me ownership over my case. When I got to know Drew, I gained more than a lawyer, I gain a friend that looked out for my interest. Without, Drew the insurance companies would have fabricated a way to give me the least amount of money for my settlement. Mrs. Cheryl the receptionist was just as awesome in handling my case. If Drew was out the office Mrs. Cheryl took care of any question or paper work I need to complete. Mrs. Cheryl made me feel comfortable and also gave me some advice about allowing my daughter to enjoy softball without burning her out. Because, she knows how travel ball can be overwhelming as she had two daughters that played at the same time. This conversation created a bound and advice for my life outside of the handling of my case. Thanks Drew and Mrs. Cheryl, for providing great service. Hope, I won’t need another lawyer, because you guys have set the bar HIGH!!!!!!!

Drew Bruner is a fantastic Attorney! First off I had called 3 lawyers after my Motorcycle accident. He was the first to respond. Also he came to me!! How awesome!!! He worked hard from day one, best work ethic I've seen in a person! Continuously on the job! He tries his very best to help his clients!! He always picks up the phone too!! Very devoted man! A man of Character, choosing him to back me in getting the money and return that I deserve was one the BEST decisions I've ever made! Thank you Drew! You're the greatest!!

My wife and I were involved in an accident while on vacation. The other driver was at complete fault. For several weeks we weren't able to get any help from the other insurance company. The laws are quite a bit different in Florida than they are in my home state. We came back to Ft. Walton and found the Bruner Firm online. Drew was able to meet with us the next day. He was very knowledgeable of the laws in Florida. It took one year to settle or claim. Drew was always courteous and very reachable throughout the year. He was very prompt in returning phone calls and emails and always kept us informed of any changes to our claim. Everyone in the office was always courteous and professional. If you need legal assistance I would recommend you give Drew Brunner a call. God bless you.

Drew Bruner who handled my case, first and foremost welcomed me as a person not a potential client. His professionalism concerning the Florida insurance laws, he explained in layman’s terms , not attorney jargin. He made sure I understood every aspect of my case. Professionalism was top notch, no lengthy appointments. Mr. Drew Bruner kept me up to date , on a as needed basis. He also returned my messages in a timely manner. There was a significant trust between client and attorney. I recieved my car accident settlement within 3 months. I ask you is that not great 👍 or what. It was crucial that I obtained an attorney locally, I found a great attorney and I’m sure his excellence of service will continue. My Best Regards, Sandy McCall

I am very honored to have been associated with Bruner Law Firm. Right off the bat at first instance I met Mrs Taylor and assistant Bri they were very compassionate understanding individuals. Confused injured and distraught they provided me with A1 advise on how to handle a major and disaterous situation.I am very pleased with Bruner Law Firm and the services provided, the advice , the help..Without hesitation I would consider them first in future ciircumstances.I also would definately recomend the Law Firm to anyone as a first choice before seeking advise anywhere else.

I highly recommend this firm. Drew is one hell of a lawyer! He was very responsive and knows what hes talking about. The insurance company was trying to drag it out as long as possible with the hopes id settle for less. ( Insurance companies are currently taking advantage of people thinking everyone is hurting for money due to covid ) At first the insurance company wouldn't even make an offer but Drew got them to pay every cent i was entitled to. i was extremely happy with the outcome and i received almost twice as much as i expected!Thank you Drew!

I don't write many reviews at all, but when an attorney takes time out of his busy day to speak personally on the phone to a client, now that's worth writing about. Not only did Drew and his assistant, Taylor, answer my questions and give me advice, they made me feel like I wasn't just another file. They got to know me personally, quickly I might add, and they helped me through the entire legal process. I HIGHLY recommend The Bruner Law Firm. They have been in business for years and they truly know not only the legal process, but how to treat their clients. There are alot of Personal Injury firms in our area, but the Bruners know what customer service is all about. If you want to be treated right, call Drew!

Drew and Cheryl at Bruner Law Firm were extremely helpful and professional. Drew made everything on my end easy after I was struck at an intersection by a car who had run a red light. After one trip to their office they had everything set up and made the process simple and easy. Cheryl was always timely and got all of my paper work taken care of as soon as she got it. They recommended a great doctor who helped me recover from my back injury and got me back to full health. Cannot recommend them enough!

First time & hopefully the last time was involved in a rear end accident by a drunk lady. Don't know what to do & pick one law firm near by my neighborhood & kind of famous in our area. Didn't return my call & found the other one also pretty famous in the law firm industry, just send me all the paperwork to my email but no live person I can able to ask some questions. Until when I called The Burner Law Firm, Emily the paralegal she talked to me explained to me what to do right away & the lawyer Chris Madden called me right after I was talking to Emily, Chris even told me the first thing was just rest & take care myself, no need to worry anything as he would deal with the insurance people & make sure I will get what I deserve. Highly recommend The Bruner Law Firm for their undivided attention and their knowledge.

Drew Bruner is an INCREDIBLE attorney. I was in a devastating car accident 8 months ago. I contacted Drew and he literally took over for me from there! I had the other insurance calling and harassing me and even a third party investigator. I was overwhelmed and lost. When I called Drew’s office I was greeted with the friendliest voice. I was already teary and had anxiety. She assured me right away, they are here to help and not to worry, and got me in right away!! I got to the office and Drew was there to greet me with a smile. We sat down, discussed my case, and I knew right away this is who I needed in my corner!! I’m SO glad I made the choice to hire Drew!!I NEVER have been forwarded to a voicemail. Every single time I’ve called I have either been connected to Drew immediately, or to my case manager who has been able to answer every question of mine! I never have had to speak to anyone about my accident that I didn’t want to speak to since day one!!! Drew has been there for me, not just as a lawyer but a trusted friend. He has given me solutions to random issues that have come up during this ordeal I didn’t even think were possible! Although I don’t want to personally share what I have been awarded, I do want to share, that Drew ALSO got me the maximum payout legally available in under half the time it takes most cases in Florida to settle!! THANK-YOU DREW!! I will recommend you to anyone I know who has been in an accident here!!! You have changed my life!

These people are amazing! They are very genuine and honest. Drew was my attorney for my case the last couple of years and has walked me through the case every step of the way, I didn’t feel confused or left out which are things that I was worried about going into this. Also want to share good words on Monica and Taylor they are very helpful as well, anytime I needed to speak with drew they made sure he knew, if I had any papers that I needed to sign they talked me through them to help me understand what I was signing, and they’re very beautiful women through and through. Thank you guys for everything I really appreciate you. Nya B.

First you are going to be medically evaluated and receive treatments for your injuries. The process of treatment is a great benefit in your diagnosis and recovery. The access to care is foundational.Drew has done a great job from the first day we spoke to the final settlement. He is a straight shooter who speaks plainly and gives you the road map of the process updating and contacting you with relevant information.My financial expectation came from google although Drew did discuss a range. Well Drew was able to secure a settlement of four times what was my expectation. This was well beyond any number discussed or found on google.I have enjoyed the experience although it did come out of an injury. The medical professionals were awesome people. Tina, Taylor, Drew at the Bruner Law Firm did their job well.Thank you again Drew!

I was hit by a car while I was riding my bike 2 days before Christmas. My landlord recommended Bruner Law Firm. My husband and I stopped by Bruner Law Firm on our way home from the hospital the day of my accident. We met with Drew. Drew was absolutely wonderful. He took his time and went over everything with us and answered all our questions. He was always easy to get ahold of anytime I had a question or concern. He went above and beyond for me. He got my case settled quickly. I got my settlement check in a little over 2 months after my accident. I would definitely recommend Drew. He is amazing!!!

When confronted with a legal issue during a time sensitive business deal, I made the fortuitous decision to contact attorney Drew Bruner for relief. Drew's depth of knowledge and masterful command of legal acumen is, impressively, matched only by his boundless commitment to his client's wellbeing. Now, having witnessed firsthand the professionalism, responsiveness and quality of work rendered by Drew and his staff, I have the great privilege to proffer both my profound gratitude and humble endorsement – alongside an ever-growing chorus! – that The Bruner Law Firm stands apart in a crowded market as the preeminent law firm in Northwest Florida.

Best of the best! I have been blessed to have Bri and Chris help me! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Bruner Law Firm, and encourage anyone needing help to request to speak with Bri and Chris! They both answered all of my questions and provided much needed help and information (in a very timely, friendly and professional manner too!). I would have been lost if I had tried to navigate everything on my own, and will always be grateful for them! I KNOW they care about me, and that is priceless! They also successfully resolved my case with an outcome that I am 100% pleased with!

The team here at Bruner Law is exceptionally talented. I am so pleased with how well my injury case was handled. I had been recovering for some months and much thanks to Taylor and Monica I really felt like they were a big reason I felt reassured in capable hands as it all progressed. I wouldn’t hesitate to contact the Bruner family after my experience, and if I have another incident I know I want all of them here to be the ones fighting for me as they definitely earned my trust and testimony. Huge thanks again Drew, Monica, Taylor :) it’s been a pleasure!

This place is the real deal!!! I don't know how many attorneys work there, but ask for Drew. He is a true professional. He is caring person and speaks in a language that one can understand, not all of the legal lawyer jargon B.S. He is a straight-shooter and does not sugar-coat anything. He personally returns phone calls very timely (within 24 hours). Quite simply, dealing with Bruner Law Firm was nothing short of a WOW experience!!! Awesome dude, awesome staff. What was especially most gratifying were the settlement dollars he got for my wife after her car accident. Thanks to Tia and Monica as well! Much love!

Taylor was the ray of sunshine in this gloomy storm. I can’t thank this firm enough for putting up with my grouchy needy self. They went above & beyond the call of their jobs for me, talked me off many ledges and settled my case and I couldn’t be happier. I have always considered myself a really positive person, but this accident was really tough on me personally and professionally. Thankfully I had Taylor, Monica, Peggy and Joe there for me every step of they way…. If I could leave infinite amount of stars I would in heart beat. Don’t think twice. This is the firm that will have your best interest at heart!!!!

The Bruner Law Firm is one of, if not the best and professional law firm in the area. My family and I had the pleasure of working with Joe during our legal case with auto insurance. Although the case itself was long and dreadful, Joe and his team nevertheless made that process go smooth and easy. With an exceptional service, they were always there to ensure that we received the best legal advice, and ultimately achieved the maximum compensation settlement from our case for us. I highly recommend The Bruner Law Firm should you ever need an attorney service in a legal case.

If you are scared of the legal process and know NOTHING about how it works, I can promise you this is the place to go.Drew and his team were the most incredible people to work with over an almost 3 year long case. I came into this freshly 18 and was treated no differently than a person in their 40s, which as a young person you know is hard to find!If you want quick responses (24hrs usually) explanations you can understand and some decent settlement money look no farther.Drew was there every step of the way to answer any questions I had no matter how stupid, and trust me I had my moments.They are real people, not just lawyers, who actually care about you and getting you what you deserve. Thank you guys so much, you really made a terrifying process so simple and smooth. I’ll miss working with you!

There's only one name to know when you need an experienced team working for you. The Bruner Law Firm. Vince, Drew and Meghan were so proactive from start to finish handling my case. Meghan has so much experience dealing with medical providers and insurance companies. Medical bills started arriving for thousands and thousands of dollars, that demanded immediate payment. It created a lot of anxiety, that is, until I spoke to Meghan and learned she'd settled the matter and all bills were at ZERO BALANCE! Phew....What a relief it is to have this kind of experience working on your behalf. They are real people, providing real results. Easily one of the best decisions of my life. Don't go it alone, THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING!! Pro's from start to finish! Call them and you too will understand why every review is 5 STARS!!!

The attention that my auto accident case received was timely and professional. Going up against an insurance company is never easy but Joe Lancos handled everything ! His timely communications with me throughout the entire process made me feel as if I was more than just a case number, but truly valued and cared for and listened to. I don't know how I would have received any medical help or physical therapy for my injuries caused by the accident without you and this firm!Thank you to Joe and Monica,The Bruner Law Firm for fighting for our worth! I am more than pleased with the outcome considering the circumstances than brought me to the firm!

To Mr. Vincent Bruner, When you have your first accident at age 71 you feel your whole life has changed forever. Having been retired only a short time we felt as though our whole life was upside down. No visit up north to see our grandchildren and great great grandchildren would be possible with our second vehicle. I was worried about what to do and how to handle the insurance, the police reports, and whether to go to a Doctor. And if so, what kind? Being hit by a 10-ton truck was upsetting enough. But being naïve when it comes to insurance and reports took the cake! Then after praying for help, I saw or heard the name Vincent Bruner. I decided a call and meeting couldn’t hurt. Meeting him the first day made me feel as though everything wasn't as desperate as I thought. He immediately got me the proper medical help by setting up initial appointments and proceeding with every piece of info I needed.I had no idea insurance wouldn't cover everything that I would need. I knew that it would take time and patience, but having a man with the personality and intelligence to pursue our cause and needs while keeping me informed when something changed was perfect. Vincent was an understanding gentleman and let me talk to him about my anxiety.He never let me down, and one day a phone call happened with the best news ever! Vincent never gave up trying to give us back our lives and getting it back to the way things were! Of course our lives will never be the same but having had the guidance, care, concern, and patience from Vincent has helped us on our journey to a life of relief, normalcy, and love.All of our thanks to a man who has been blessed with not just the intelligence, patience and perseverance that was involved, but who did it with a charm and wisdom very few young people have these days. May he always be blessed in his business and private life. Sent with love and thanks from not just me, but our whole family.

Drew has provided us with guidance and fair legal advice during this hard time. He was honest, responsive, knowledgable and experienced. While working with Drew, I felt we could trust him and we were in good hands. He was very patient with us, as we were with the situation at hand.I would highly recommend Drew to anyone seeking legal representation that is equitable, trustworthy and will keep your best interest as a priority. I would highly recommend Drew to anyone seeking a personal injury lawyer.

I recently was in a terrible car accident a lady rear ended me at a red light without breaking even a little. I had two compound fractures in my back, leaving me without being able to do much of anything for months. I was unable to work or even do basic things such as lift something over 5 lbs. My experience with Bruner Law Firm was nothing less than excellent, They have an office in Fort Walton Beach and in Panama City! Vince is caring, and innovative. I had never needed an accident lawyer before so the whole process was new to me and he was always so helpful and willing to answer any of my questions. His responses were always thoughtful. My case was a difficult case that other lawyers may have steered away from, but Vince and his team seemed to embrace the challenge. They were able to sort everything out in a short period of time. I don’t think most attorneys would have the experience, ability or fight to do. These lawyers are very genuine and care about getting you the very best outcome they possibly can. I would refer them to anyone close to me that had anything terrible happen to them like i did. You will not regret it!

DUI charges filed against driver involved in fatal Florida motorcycle crash

SEE WHAT OUR

CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

In The News

How to Scare an Insurance Adjuster

Can Insurance Companies Deny Claims for Pre-Existing Conditions?

How to Report a Car Accident to Insurance

How Much Tax Is Paid on Injury Lawsuit Settlements?