Police in Charlotte, NC say that one person is dead after an accident occurred this past weekend when a 15-year-old driver struck a utility pole. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say that a 17-year-old friend of the driver was pronounced dead just after 4 a.m. at Carolinas Medical Center.
Police say that the 1992 Honda Civic driven by the teen ran into a utility pole just off North Tryon Street. Investigators say they believe the vehicle was moving at a very high rate of speed and that this speed combined with alcohol was the cause of the accident.
Authorities say that the 15-year-old driver and two passengers were taken to the Carolinas Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Police say that the young driver has since been charged with driving while impaired and driving after consuming alcohol under 21 years of age.
We extend our sympathy to the family of the young teen who died in the terrible crash. Losing a loved one is always hard, but especially so when the accident comes out of the blue. The family of the victim in this tragic case should contact an experienced North Carolina (NC) wrongful death attorney to ensure that the driver is held accountable for his actions. Even though criminal charges are being pursued against the driver, it’s important to understand that a civil claim for compensation can still proceed regardless of what prosecutors decide to do.
If you’re considering reaching out to an attorney, make sure it’s someone who has experience handling such difficult and emotionally trying cases. My firm handled one case where our client was killed by the driver of a tractor-trailer, leaving his wife and four children behind. In that case, we were able to secure a $2.4 million settlement for the family. Though the money does not help to heal the deep wounds left after the man’s death, it helps provide some much needed money to a family in need.
If you recently lost a loved one in a tragic North Carolina accident and are not sure how to move forward, it might be helpful to check out my firm’s answers to some frequently asked questions regarding wrongful death claims. For instance, you may be wondering what a wrongful death claim is, how a court calculates damages or even what the difference is between a wrongful death claim and a normal personal injury action. For these answers and more, read my firm’s North Carolina wrongful death FAQs.
Here’s a Google Map showing the location of the deadly accident:
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