New York fatal accident leads to DUI charge for driver

When someone is killed in a fatal accident in New York, their family members usually feel distraught. Their grief may become anger if the person who killed their loved one in the fatal accident was driving under the influence of alcohol. No amount of money can bring back a deceased loved one, but monetary damages can help family members to receive closure after such a loss.

This is the situation that one family faces after a woman was killed when her friend was driving a vehicle and crashed it after admitting to having a single alcoholic drink. The 21-year-old passenger was killed. As a result of the accident, the driver has been charged with driving under the influence as well as second-degree vehicular manslaughter.

The fatal accident happened when the driver slammed her vehicle into a tractor trailer that was parked on a street. The incident occurred after the driver and passenger, who were both community college students, left a party. The driver is being held on $20,000 bond. She will receive up to seven years in prison if convicted.

In addition to having to face her criminal charges, the person who caused the fatal accident may be held liable for the death of her passenger if the victim’s family members file a wrongful death lawsuit. The family members can seek reimbursement of monetary damages stemming from the collision, which may include end-of-life medical expenses and funeral costs. The driver’s charge of driving under the influence could be used to establish liability in a New York wrongful death suit if a conviction is secured in criminal court.

Source: CBS New York, Bail Set For Woman Charged In Deadly L.I. Wreck, No author, Sept. 16, 2013