One dead, two injured, in Charlotte crash

One man died and two people are in serious condition after a traffic accident on U.S. 17.

Shortly before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, 53-year-old Stanislaw Kujawinski was northbound on the highway north of Calle Bonita. The Florida Highway Patrol says a semi-trailer was stopped ahead of Kujawinski, with hazard lights activated, because of mechanical problems. Kujawinski’s Kia Sportage struck the semi’s trailer.

Kujawinski’s passenger, 56-year-old Walter Kujawinski, died in the crash. Another passenger in the Kia, 22-year-old Robert J. Leicht of Arcadia, was reported to be in serious condition at Lee Memorial Hospital.

Stanislaw Kujawinski was reported to be in serious condition at Charlotte Regional Medical Center.

The driver of the semi, 43-year-old Robert L. Sykes of Mulberry, and his passenger, 45-year-old Tonia D. Sykes of Mulberry, were not injured.

About the Author

Bernie Walsh

Education Bernard F. Walsh graduated from the University of South Florida before receiving his law degree from Cumberland School of Law in 1978. During law school, he was selected to serve as a research clerk and intern for a Federal Judge and the U.S. Attorney's Office. He was awarded The National Book Awards for Constitutional Law and Professional Responsibility during law school. Experience Bernard Walsh devoted the next three years to trial work for the State of Florida. This provided him with the opportunity to concentrate on his trial abilities, with numerous high profile trials concerning serious felony crimes. Since 1982, he has exclusively practiced personal injury law and helped accident victims in and beyond Sarasota and Manatee Counties in Florida. Mr. Walsh has been listed in Avvo, an attorney rating site, as Superb. LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell, an attorneys rating publication, has rated Mr. Walsh as very high legal ability and ethical standards. Mr. Walsh is listed in National Trial Lawyers Association as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and was inducted into Southern Trial Lawyers Association. He has also won the largest playground recoveries, one of the top three motorcycle recoveries, and the second largest daycare center recovery in the State of Florida. He is also a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum is a group of attorneys who have achieved career case successes that include multi-million dollar recoveries, settlements and/or verdicts.