An Orlando man who fled the country over 15 years ago to avoid prosecution for driving under the influence and causing a crash with serious injuries on Interstate 4 is now facing up to a decade in prison after being convicted by a jury.
On Friday, April 5, 2024, a jury found 45-year-old Faisal Javaid guilty of two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury in connection with the 2006 crash, which occurred on I-4 in Polk County.
On May 20, 2006, Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded to a crash with injuries and roadblock that had occurred on I-4, to the west of State Road 559.
Upon arrival, the troopers observed an overturned orange Honda Element and a white 2006 Jaguar on the north shoulder of the roadway that “appeared to be split in half,” according to FHP.
The driver of the Jaguar, identified as Javaid, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Polk County paramedics soon arrived on scene and began treating him for his injuries.
The two occupants of the Honda, identified as a 58-year-old Longwood man and 48-year-old Lake Mary woman, were trapped inside the vehicle. After being freed by Polk County Fire Rescue crews, both occupants were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries described as “life-altering.”
FHP launched an investigation and determined that the Jaguar was traveling eastbound on I-4 when Javaid “failed to maintain a single lane.” When he overcorrected, he lost control of the vehicle and crossed the median before entering the westbound lanes of traffic.
Moments later, the Jaguar struck the Honda. After the impact, the Jaguar was “sheared in half,” and the Honda rolled onto its roof, according to FHP.
Troopers at the scene of the crash observed that Javaid appeared to be impaired. A blood draw was conducted, which revealed that he was “more than one and a half times over the legal limit” at the time of the accident.
Javaid was charged with two counts of driving under the influence with serious bodily injury, and a trial was scheduled to take place in 2008. However, Javaid proceeded to flee the country, traveling to Pakistan and Kenya.
FHP stated that over the next 15 years, there were no updates regarding this case. That changed in May of 2023, when troopers received a call from the State Attorney’s Office advising that the DUI suspect, Javaid, had returned to the United States via the Orlando International Airport.
Javaid was arrested at the airport on an outstanding warrant for failing to appear during his DUI trial.
Nearly 20 years after the crash occurred, the case finally went to trial. Javaid was ultimately convicted by a jury, and his sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Javaid is facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in state prison.