What happened:
A 73 year old man was struck and killed by a 1994 Ford Escort as he was exiting the ATV he had been driving. The fatal accident occurred on Red Brush Road in Elkton. The 26 year old driver of the Escort has been charged with DUI.
According to a report on WINA, Ralph Mowbray was mowing his lawn when the lawnmower got stuck in a ditch. With the help of two other men, he tied a rope to the ATV and pulled the mower out. He parked the ATV sideways on the westbound lane of Red Brush Road, and as he was getting off the vehicle, the Escort, which was traveling in the westbound lane, struck him. One of the men helping Mr. Mowbray was also almost hit, despite wearing a reflective traffic vest. The investigation is continuing and police say additional charges against the driver of the car are pending.
The Virginia Injury Lawyer Perspective:
A family has lost their loved one because someone made the choice to get behind the wheel of a car intoxicated. This is a tragedy that is so avoidable but happens time and time again. Thankfully, the second man was able to jump out of the way of the vehicle. The victim’s family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver for loss and suffering. They should speak to a Virginia wrongful death attorney to see what their legal options may be.
Red Brush Road, Elkton VA
Potentially Helpful Info:
Our firm published a guide on the wrongful death claims process in Virginia. Read it here.
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