Most people would assume that criminal charges related to driving would make a driver behave more cautiously in the future. Unfortunately, police claim that was not the case for one North Carolina man. Unfortunately the alleged recklessness conducted by this man left one man dead and his wife and son injured. As a result, the accused driver may face a wrongful death case in addition to the criminal charges already filed against him.
Police claim that a 33-year-old male driver was arrested for driving under the influence one evening in late September. Apparently, he was released after he was charged. Approximately 12 hours later, police claim the same man ran a stop sign.
As a result, he collided with a truck that contained a driver with his wife and son. The truck driver died as a result of his injuries while the other two passengers were taken to the hospital for treatment. The driver who allegedly ran the stop sign was also transported to the hospital for treatment. Police officers expect the man will be charged for the accident once he is released from the accident.
The man’s surviving family members are likely reeling from his death. His wife, in addition to her grief, is also facing her own recovery while caring for her son. In order to help with the expenses related to the accident — including medical bills, lost wages, and funeral bills — the family has the option of filing a wrongful death lawsuit in a North Carolina civil court. If it can be proved that the driver was negligent in a manner that caused their family member’s death, they could receive a monetary award to help alleviate the financial burden placed on them as a result of the tragedy.
Source: The Republic, Cops: Man suspected of drinking before fatal crash had been arrested for DWI 12 hours earlier, No author, Sept. 29, 2013