Drunk driving accident claims 2 Tennessee lives, charges result
A 55-year-old man has been charged with two counts each of vehicular homicide by recklessness and vehicular homicide by intoxication following the deaths of two Tennessee women. The accident happened in November when the man, purportedly traveling southbound, crossed into oncoming traffic and struck the other vehicle. The drunk driving accident caused the deaths of a 62-year-old driver and her 62-year-old passenger.
A third vehicle, which was traveling behind the two women, also collided with the other two after attempting to avoid the collision. The 19-year-old driver in that vehicle was transported to a hospital. Any injuries he sustained were not disclosed. The two women were both transported via helicopter to a hospital with serious injuries. After a week of hospitalization, the driver succumbed to her injuries.
Several days later, her passenger also succumbed to her injuries. It is unclear whether the man believed to be responsible for the accident sustained any injuries. His arrest followed an investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, which led to a total of six charges in the indictment. He remains jailed on $75,000 bond.
While a successful criminal prosecution may help the families of the victims find some relief in knowing that justice is being served, their emotional and financial pain may continue long after this drunk driving accident. Fortunately, Tennessee has personal injury laws in place to help protect the families of those injured or killed due to the negligence of another party. The families of these victims may find such civil claims a viable option for recovering financially from their tragic loss. Appropriately litigated claims can provide much needed compensation for the injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other expenses that often follow a fatal accident.
Source: oakridgetoday.com, “Marlow man charged with vehicular homicide for two deaths after three-car crash,” John Huotari, May 17, 2013