On Friday, January 21, 2012, a Port Charlotte woman suffered critical injuries following a Florida car crash on Rotonda Boulevard East. The woman, 71-year-old Judith Paulson, was travelling with her 73-year-old husband Frank Harold Paulson at the time of the accident. The two were driving in their 2005 Dodge van, with Ms. Paulson in the passenger seat and Mr. Paulson in the driver’s seat.
While travelling along Rotonda Boulevard East at approximately 9 p.m., Mr. Paulson lost control of the van, went into the grassy median, and collided with a palm tree. Following the collision, he put the car into reverse and continued traveling along the road. He later stopped approximately one-fourth of a mile from the crash site, with debris from the palm tree still embedded in the front of the van.
According to Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Robert Martin, the couple was not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Mr. Paulson was transported to Englewood Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He was later released. Ms. Paulson was taken via MedFlight to Lee Memorial Hospital, in Fort Myers, where here injuries were labeled as critical.
Mr. Paulson has been arrested and charged with:

• driving under the influence serious bodily injury
• driving under the influence property damage
• driving under the influence
• careless driving

He is being held at the Charlotte County Jail on a bond of $4,500.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Paulson.