Car Chase Ends in Driver Dead
A man with a history of driving under the influence and other traffic violations died recently after a high speed chase with the police. Taylor Giese, 28, of Palm Beach Gardens was suspected of driving under the influence when the police caught him driving 90 mph on North Military Trail. Only minutes later, he crashed his car and the resulting accident took his life.
According to the police, Mr. Giese was driving a 2006 Honda sedan eastbound on Florida Boulevard just after 11:00 p.m. at a high rate of speed after he failed to pull over for the officers. As the police were giving chase, he lost control at a curve, spun out, and the driver’s side struck the back of a truck parked on the street in front of a home. Security cameras caught most of the high speed chase that started on North Military Drive, turned to Kyoto Gardens Drive, then north on Alternate State Road A1A before turning onto Florida Boulevard.
Mr. Giese was declared dead at the scene and his passenger, girlfriend Kayle Claypoole, 18, was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach in critical condition. As of this writing her condition remained unchanged. Mr. Giese had a long history of run-ins with the police and should not have even been behind the wheel that evening. His driver’s license was revoked, he had over 27 traffic violations, at least two DUI convictions, and was listed as a habitual traffic offender.
His criminal history goes as far back as 2005 for a battery charge. In 2007, he was convicted of felony grand theft and carrying a concealed weapon. In 2013, his license was suspended after he refused to take a blood alcohol test and pled guilty to reckless driving. He went to jail for nearly a year in 2014 for another DUI arrest and conviction. His other traffic violations include multiple speeding tickets and driving without proper insurance or registration.
Habitual Traffic Offenders
According to Fla. Stat. 322.264, a habitual traffic offender is defined as “any person whose record, as maintained by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, shows that such person has accumulated the specified number of convictions for offenses . . . within a 5-year period.” These convictions include three or more of any one or more of the following offenses arising out of separate acts:
- Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;
- Any violation of driving under the influence;
- Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used;
- Driving a motor vehicle while his or her license is suspended or revoked;
- Failing to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death or personal injury;
- Driving a commercial motor vehicle while disqualified; and/or
- Fifteen convictions for moving traffic offenses for which points may be assessed.
Call Our Office Today
Habitual traffic offenders and other drivers with multiple traffic violations are some of the most dangerous people on the road. Call the office or contact the experienced West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys today at Gary Roberts & Associates for a confidential and free review of your claims if you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident caused by a bad driver.
