New York man faces charges after fatal car accident

A man accused of causing a crash that left a 19-year-old dead and another person with serious injuries is now facing dire charges, according to local news sources. New York police arrested the man and charged him with leaving the scene of a car accident that caused death after he ostensibly left his two passengers in the vehicle. No court date has been announced as of this report. 

The accident report states the 22-year-old man was driving around 10:45 the night of July 26 when the crash occurred. Reportedly, the man sped up to try to get through an intersection but wound up running a red light instead. The driver swerved to get out of the path of a car making a left-hand turn, losing control of the vehicle in the process and striking the traffic pole in the middle of the intersection. 

An 18-year-old passenger was thrown from the vehicle and was found unconscious and unresponsive. The 19-year-old woman was in the back seat and was found in the same condition. Both individuals were rushed to local hospitals, where the 19-year-old later succumbed to her injuries. The other passenger remains in critical condition. The driver reportedly fled the scene but was quickly apprehended and charged by police. 

Depending on the outcome of the New York police investigation, it seems likely the driver involved in the car accident will go to trial for his charges. In addition, the family of the deceased passenger and the injured passenger will be able to file civil suits concurrently against the driver. Wrongful death and personal injury suits both require evidence of culpability on the part of the driver in order to be successful. 

Source: New York Post, “Driver charged in crash that killed teen“, Dana Sauchelli, July 27, 2015