A Villager was facing a long difficult recovery after being knocked from a golf cart struck by a hit-and-run driver.
Roseanna Diiuro suffered a traumatic brain injury, 14 broken ribs, a broken clavicle, a broken scapula, punctured lungs requiring chest tubes to drain the blood, and other extensive internal trauma in the hit-and-run crash that occurred March 31 in the Village of Hillsborough. It was our No. 7 story in 2025.
Villager NN, 75, is facing a felony charge of hit and run as a result of the crash. She remains free on $5,000 bond and has asked a judge for reinstatement of her driving privileges, which have been severely restricted due to the pending charge.
Meanwhile, Roseanna Diiuro and her family are enduring the long, painful process of an uncertain recovery.
She had been at the wheel of the golf cart that day on Hillsborough Trail when it was struck by the white sport utility vehicle later tracked to N’s home, thanks in large part to witnesses and surveillance from the Village of Hillsborough gate.
While Roseanna Diiuro was traumatically injured when she was knocked from the cart, her husband Leonard, who was a passenger, suffered only scratches.
The 77-year-old was rushed to Ocala Regional Medical Center’s trauma center, where she spent 20 days in the hospital. She suffered internal brain bleeding and required nine staples to the back of her skull. Her husband of 58 years suddenly found himself making the daily drive to Ocala to be with his wife. Now he is her primary caregiver, helping with bathing and other tasks. They met when they were about 13 years old and spent most of their married life in Rhode Island before moving to The Villages.
“As for me and our family, we have been pushed to our emotional and financial limits. I’ve driven nearly an hour each way every day to and from the hospital and a half hour each way every day to and from the rehab facility — bearing the fuel costs, mileage, time, and emotional toll. Our adult children have taken time off work, flown in from other states, and helped care for their mother. We’ve missed vacations, holidays, and moments we’ll never get back. Our lives have changed forever,” Leonard Diiuro told Villages-News.com.
He vividly recalls the hit-and-run crash.
“At no point were we in her blind spot. Ms. N had a clear, unobstructed view of our golf cart as she approached from behind, began to partially pass us, and then made a sudden right-hand turn directly into our path, turning onto Amish Path. In doing so, she physically struck and moved our golf cart with her vehicle, ejecting my wife violently onto the pavement. This was not a case of failing to see a vehicle in a blind spot — it was a dangerous, unprovoked maneuver with devastating consequences. There are two eye witnesses to this exact account,” he said.
N told an investigator with the Florida Highway Patrol that she was unaware that she hit a golf cart. She claimed she is hard of hearing and had the music turned up loud in her SUV.
“And despite the gravity of my wife’s injuries, our family would have been understanding and sympathetic if Ms. N had taken responsibility — had she stopped, helped, expressed concern, or even acknowledged the crash. Instead, she continued to drive a very short distance further and into her garage, closed the door, and initially denied any knowledge of the incident,” Leonard Diiuro said.
A hit-and-run accident can leave victims feeling helpless and frustrated, especially when the responsible driver flees the scene. At Ovadia Law Group, we specialize in helping victims of hit-and-run accidents pursue justice and compensation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand the complexities of these cases, including identifying liable parties and dealing with insurance companies. We work tirelessly to investigate the incident, gather evidence, and protect your rights throughout the legal process. Whether you’re facing medical bills, lost wages, or emotional distress, our team is committed to securing the compensation you deserve. Don’t let the actions of a negligent driver dictate your future—get the legal support you need today. Call Ovadia Law Group at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation and let us fight for your recovery.
Source: villages-news
