In Isle of Wight, Virginia (VA), on Monday a careless and reckless driver veered off the road into a ditch, according to Trooper James Snyder. The car overturned after hitting the ditch and ejected a passenger who died at the scene. The driver wasted no time in running away from the accident, leaving his passenger for dead. In fact, he was spotted by emergency personnel about a 1/4 mile away. Now the driver is charged with aggravated manslaughter, felony leaving the scene, DUI second offense and reckless driving.
As a Virginia (VA) wrongful death attorney, I have seen a number of cases lately including bus wrecks where passengers were injured or killed at the hands of a careless driver. I don’t know what the relationship between the driver and passenger is in this case but I do know that car wrecks are stark reminders that driving under the influence, and not following safety measures like wearing seat belts, result in loss of life and life-altering injuries. Drivers under the influence of alcohol or other substances put themselves and everyone else on the road at risk.
My colleagues and I speak every day with people harmed by others irresponsible and dangerous decisions to get behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs or to operate their vehicles in careless or negligent ways. I know from those client interactions that this drinking and driving tragedy was completely preventable.
CA