A 15-year-old boy is tragically dead following a pedestrian-related crash in Unadilla, according to local sources. New York State Police are in the process of investigating the car accident that claimed the boy’s life. They have not filed charges against the driver involved, but they have ruled out intoxication as a possible factor in the accident.
According to the accident report, around 5:00 p.m. the evening of Dec. 5, police responded to calls about a pedestrian accident on Unadilla’s Main Street. It appears the 15-year-old male victim was walking on the side of the road with a friend when he was struck by a vehicle. The car, driven by a 47-year-old woman, reportedly struck him while traveling westbound along Main Street.
The boy was rushed to a local hospital with severe head and body injuries. He succumbed to these injuries and was pronounced dead the following day. The friend he was walking with, as well as the driver of the vehicle involved, were reportedly unharmed in the collision. The scene was investigated by the New York State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, it is still possible the woman involved in the car accident could face criminal charges. Even if she does not, however, New York state law will allow the family of the deceased to file a wrongful death suit against her in civil court. While such suits are not contingent upon criminal charges or convictions, sufficient evidence of the driver’s material contribution to the accident will be necessary.
Source: wktv.com, “Teen killed in car-pedestrian crash in Otsego County“, Dec. 6, 2016