Car accidents occur on a daily basis. The sheer number of drivers on the roadways lends itself to this being the case. Fortunately, not all accidents result in serious bodily injury or death. Actually, many of the crashes that police respond to are usually less severe, where there are only minor injuries. However, there are those accidents that are deadly and require a greater police response and investigation. For instance, accidents involving the death of a pedestrian fall into this particular category. Normally, when there is a hit-and-run situation, the pedestrian succumbs to injuries from the accident.
Recently in Washington, Pennsylvania, a man who was driving while under the influence was arrested after hitting a pedestrian. The man hit the woman and then fled the scene of the accident. The woman was later pronounced dead. Authorities tracked down the man by finding the vehicle that he was driving at the time of the accident, a pickup truck. The man was charged with a DUI and homicide. He did not get bail.
Crashes involving a drunk driver are handled differently than other car accidents, especially when a death results. A drunk driver can, and in many cases does, face jail time if convicted. Victims of drunk driving accidents and the families of the victims can also pursue a civil claim against a drunk driver. An injured party may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit, and when a victim dies the surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim.
Source: Albany Times Union “W. Pa. man arrested after fatal accident,” Aug. 17, 2014
Source: Albany Times Union “W. Pa. man arrested after fatal accident,” Aug. 17, 2014