The South Carolina Highway Patrol has reported that charges were recently filed against a 26-year-old driver. He is charged with driving under the influence in connection with a deadly car accident. A passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident died as a result of the injuries she suffered.
The accident happened on Sept. 14 at approximately 3:12 a.m. The man was driving a pickup truck that night. As he was driving, the pickup truck went off into the right shoulder. The driver then over corrected, went far left, then back right into some trees.
All three people that were in the truck got thrown from it during the crash. The driver and one passenger were taken to an area hospital to be treated for the injuries they suffered. The second passenger died from blunt force trauma at the scene.
Toxicology results from a South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division indicate that the driver’s blood alcohol content was .18. This is over twice the legal limit. If he is convicted of the charges against him, he could spend up to 25 years in prison, but will serve at least one year according to state law. In addition, he could be ordered to pay fines between $10,000 and $25,000.
However, this may not be the only financial penalties the man will have to pay as a result of this car accident. The family of the passenger that died may file a wrongful death claim, which if successful, could award the family the damages sustained as a result of her death. The other passenger that was in the pickup truck may also file a personal injury claim and receive a similar award from the court is negligence on the part of the driver is proved.
Source: thetandd.com, Man charged with DUI in fatal crash, Martha Rose Brown, Oct. 16, 2013
Steven Krause is a personal injury, auto accident, and workers’ compensation lawyer who practices in Anderson, SC. He graduated form the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and has been practicing law for 40 years now. Steven Krause believes in fighting for the injured. Learn more about his experience here.