Motorists on San Diego roads and highways trust that fellow drivers will act responsibly when sharing the roads. However, a driver high on drugs or intoxicated is a hazard to every other traveler. When a driver acts with total disregard to the safety of others, the result can be a fatal accident.
An 18-year old teenager in San Diego was recently charged with driving under the influence causing injury and gross vehicular manslaughter after he was involved in a car accident that resulted in the death of a 22-year old man.
According to testimony, the teenager advised law enforcement that in the days leading up to the collision, he had ingested prescription pills and smoked marijuana. Witnesses to the accident testified that the teenager had been driving erratically, changing lanes without warning, swerving in and out of traffic, and cutting off cars. According to one witness, the teenager aimed his car directly at a vehicle in the opposite lane and hit it dead-on. If the teenager is convicted of the crimes, he may be sentenced to up to ten years in prison.
Families of victims killed in a fatal car crash face a long road while they grieve the loss of their loved one. While it may be of some consolation that the perpetrator faces prison time, it can also be helpful to discuss the matter with a personal injury attorney. It may be possible to collect compensation in a civil lawsuit based on a wrongful death claim. Whether the recovery of damages is used to pay expenses or establish a memorial, many families find that it can help ease pain and suffering.
Source: Source: Fox5 San Diego, “Teen faces long prison term for fatal wrong-way crash,” July 17, 2013.
