It is never acceptable to drive after consuming alcohol. However, many reckless drivers attempt to do so on a regular basis. This is a common cause of car accidents in New York and across the country. One person was recently killed and another injured in a wreck involving an alleged drunk driver.
The crash happened one afternoon when a driver collided with another car in an intersection. Immediately after, his vehicle also hit a motorcycle. Following the crashes, the man exited his car and attempted to flee the scene on foot, according to police. He collapsed a few hundred feet away and was detained by civilian witnesses until officers arrived.
Tragically, the motorcyclist died at the scene. A woman driving the first car that was struck suffered a head injury and was taken to an area trauma center. The driver believed to be at fault was also taken to a hospital. Police later determined that the driver was intoxicated and charged him with death by automobile, leaving the scene of a fatal collision and having an open container of an alcoholic beverage.
Though the driver is now facing criminal charges, the surviving victim and the family of the deceased victim may be entitled to file a personal injury claim and a wrongful death claim, respectively. When such claims can prove negligence on behalf of the party believed to be at fault, those who file can then receive monetary benefits that could cover the fees for medical bills, funeral costs and any other related expenses. Experienced New York attorneys could assist those who have been injured or lost loved ones in car accidents by providing solid legal counsel.
Source: ng1015.com, “West Windsor man charged with DWI after fatal crash“, Adam Hochron, July 23, 2017