Fatal car accident in New York leads to charges

An unusual case has led to two separate drivers being charged in the death of a single passenger following a serious crash in Brooklyn on Aug. 17. New York authorities charged two men with DUI and vehicular manslaughter after a car accident killed a passenger in one of the vehicles. The unique nature of this case could see both men behind bars for up to 15 years for their crimes.

The authorities report that one of the two men, who was carrying the passenger in question, was traveling on Eastern Parkway when he was rear-ended by the other driver. It is estimated the second driver was traveling approximately 95 mph when the collision occurred.  The force of the crash killed the rear-seat passenger in the first vehicle, but miraculously, neither driver was injured.

The unusual nature of this case comes about when it becomes known that both men, who were strangers to one another, were apparently driving drunk at the time of the accident. The rear driver submitted to a Breathalyzer test and recorded a BAC of .87, well above the legal limit in New York.  The other driver had a blood test some seven hours after the crash, and officials calculated that the results were the equivalent of a .2 BAC at the time of the collision. Both men are currently awaiting trial.

The tragedy of a drunk-driving car accident is underscored by its preventability. If these men are found guilty of driving under the influence, they will likely face jail time. However, a criminal conviction will not be required for the family of the deceased passenger to file a wrongful death suit on her behalf against both motorists in a civil court. Any evidence accrued in the New York police investigation may be offered in support of such a lawsuit.

Source: New York Post, “2 drivers charged in car crash that killed woman“, Josh Saul, Oct. 29, 2014