On June 29 at 6 a.m., a passenger in a car driven by a male driver was killed after the driver crashed his vehicle into a guardrail on the side of the road in North Carolina. The driver then proceeded to abandon his car with the dead man still inside. The 40-year-old driver was traveling on U.S. 25 in Henderson County when the accident occurred.
According to authorities, the driver continued on after the initial impact, which had forced the passenger side door in, crushing the victim. The driver continued on for another 11 miles before finally stopping the car on the side of the road and fleeing. The car was left on Interstate 26 near Upward Road, where it was found by a trooper at around 6:30 a.m. Sheriff’s deputies say that the driver called for a getaway car after leaving the scene accident.
The Henderson County Sheriffs deputies caught up with the driver in the getaway car on Tracy Grove Road, where he was then arrested. The driver was charged with DWI and felony hit and run, and more charges are likely.
In a case such as this one, the victim’s family may decide to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party. In a wrongful death case, the surviving family members of the victim could be eligible for a number of damages including any future wages lost by the family member, funeral expenses and even emotional losses. Survivors include the immediate family, including spouse and children. Depending on the situation, distant family members may also be eligible for compensation.
Source: WLOS, “Man Charged After Fatal Wreck”, June 30, 2014