Two people lost their lives following a crash in Broome County, according to local news sources. The car accident, which involved an SUV and a motorcycle, claimed the lives of a 62-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman, both visiting New York from out of state. While criminal charges have not yet been filed against the driver of the SUV, police say they are likely.
The accident report confirms the couple was heading eastbound with the man driving the motorcycle when the crash happened. Best estimates say the 72-year-old woman driving the SUV pulled out of a parking lot into the path of the oncoming motorcycle, initiating the crash. So far, she has received a citation for failure to yield the right of way.
The woman in the SUV was in fair condition as of this report, but the couple on the motorcycle did not fare as well. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by arriving medical personnel, and the man was rushed to a local hospital. He later died of his injuries. Preliminary reports indicate drugs and alcohol were not factors in this tragic accident.
However, negligence appears to have been a factor, as evidenced by the traffic citation already issued to the driver of the SUV. It is possible New York police will choose to file criminal charges against her in addition to this citation. Regardless, state law provides for the right of the families of the deceased individuals to file wrongful death lawsuits against her in civil court, using evidence gathered about the car accident to prove driver negligence.
Source: wbng.com, “Two dead after two-vehicle crash in Vestal”, Nick Merianos and Nicky Hickling, Sept. 17, 2015