After a three-car collision, one of the survivors of the crash is walking for the first time since the accident. Gail Marston, a 66-year-old retired employee from the Duval County School Board, was trying out her new prosthetic leg at a rehabilitation center in St. Augustine, Florida. Marston was driving a blue pickup-truck that T-boned a Lexus, driven by Donalynn Frank, a St. Augustine resident and licensed social worker. Frank, 54, died at the scene. Frank was driving southbound on U.S. 1 when she was struck from behind by a Pontiac Vibe, driven by Daniel Doyle Rocca, a Gainesville resident who was 19-years-old at the time. Toxicology reports revealed Rocca had a .212 blood alcohol content level at the time of the accident. He was booked at St. Johns County Jail on July 31 for DUI and DUI manslaughter.
Marston’s son, David Marston, says his mother has not seen the outside of the hospital until a month ago. Marston arrived at the hospital with a shattered heel and ankle, a broken femur, other bones protruding out of her skin and was in a coma for 10 days. After enduring more than 15 surgeries and spending almost 4 months at Shands Jacksonville, Gail Marston was transferred to a rehabilitation center in St. Augustine – a short step in her long and remarkable path of recovery.
If you would like to read more about this story see Woman sustains serious personal injuries after colliding with a drunk driver.
The death of Donalynn Frank and the serious personal injuries suffered by Gail Marston are tragedies for their families and their community. Drunk driving is a foolish offense, the perpetrators of which are selfish. If you have been drinking do not get behind the wheel, your judgment, vision and hearing are impaired and your reaction time are slowed. If you or a family member has been dramatically injured or otherwise affected by a drunk driver you should seek legal representation from a Florida personal injury lawyer for guidance, counsel and advice to ensure your rights are protected and justice is served.