Unlicensed, uninsured driver faces four charges after Back Beach Road crash

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -A driver faces four charges following a two-vehicle crash Saturday evening on 98 (Back Beach Road) near DeLuna Street in Bay County, according to a crash report.

Drake Linn, the licensed driver who was involved, said the other vehicle was sitting in the median before pulling out in front of him.

“He was sitting in the median, and he pulled out right in front of me, and I went right into the side of him, and I instantly broke my hip, instantly broke my ankle,” Linn said.

The driver who struck Linn faces four charges: driving without insurance, driving without a valid license, no motor vehicle registration, and careless driving.

Florida Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Ronald Livingston said uninsured drivers are a persistent problem on Florida roads.

“It is a common thing, unfortunately. Stats show about 20 percent of motorists are uninsured,” Livingston said.

Florida law requires all drivers to carry proof of insurance at all times. Livingston said troopers work to address the issue on every call.

“On every traffic stop we make, on every crash we investigate, we’re constantly taking that initiative to make sure we get uninsured drivers off the roads,” Livingston said.

Linn underwent surgery the day after the crash and said he remains in constant pain.

“I probably won’t walk for the next few months,” Linn said.

Linn said the situation has left him with limited options.

“Definitely stressful and helpless overall. Just don’t know what to do — not many resources, and if it’s not covered, there’s not much I can do about it. I can’t roll, I can’t walk,” Linn said.

A GoFundMe has been created to help cover expenses for Linn. For more information, visit https://gofund.me/96690ede7.

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