There are some people in life who seek adventure. One man decided that he would find his adventure in a cross-country bicycle trip. Unfortunately, he found tragedy as a result of a fatal collision instead. The man who North Carolina prosecutors feel is responsible for that tragedy has recently accepted a plea deal.
The 30-year-old bicyclist had recently sold his business and struck out on a cycling adventure. Reports indicate that he and another cyclist were traveling on an Interstate in mid-March 2012. They were reportedly on the right side of the white line when the accident happened. As they traveled, they were struck by a vehicle driven by a 31-year-old man.
Witness reports indicate that the man was thrown approximately 100 yards from his bicycle. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment, but succumbed to his injuries 10 days after the accident. A Breathalyzer test administered at the time of the accident indicated that the blood alcohol level of the man driving the vehicle was well over the legal limit.
As a result of the plea deal, the accused driver will spend approximately six months in jail, followed by probation and restitution. Unfortunately, the family of the deceased man could face an uncertain financial future as they cope with the expenses and other financial damages created by the collision. They must deal with what are likely expensive medical bills as well as funeral costs. In order to seek relief from some of these expenses, the family has the option of litigating a wrongful death lawsuit in a North Carolina civil court. A successfully argued case could result in a judgment awarding them monetary damages occasioned by the accident.
Source: The Dispatch, “Bicyclist’s death results in plea deal“, Darrick Ignasiak, April 3, 2014