A horrific crash in Sussex County has claimed the lives of three people. The deadly crash happened at approximately 3 a.m. on Sunday, on Route 460, west of Walnut Hill Road. Police say the fatal crash was alcohol-related.
According to a law enforcement spokesperson, a Kia Soul was heading east on Route 460 when it crossed the center line and slammed into a Honda Accord head-on. A Toyota Scion traveling behind the Honda smashed into the rear of the vehicle. The 30-year-old Kia driver and her 28-year-old passenger were both killed in the crash. A 25-year-old passenger in the Honda was also killed. Police say all three of the dead victims were not wearing seatbelts.
The driver of the Honda, who was wearing his seatbelt, sustained major injuries. The driver of the Toyota, who was also wearing his seatbelt, suffered minor injuries.
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Just the night before this accident, another fatal crash had occurred just a few miles away, when a 27-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle, ran off the road and into a guardrail, which caused the Honda she was driving to spin right into the path of a tractor-trailer. The driver, who was not wearing her seatbelt, was killed. Also killed was a 5-year-old boy in the vehicle with her.
Preventing Fatal Crashes
Beyond the tragedy of both of these crashes is the knowledge that despite all the warnings and public education campaigns that are run, there are two things that could prevent the death of thousands of victims each year, yet people still continue to ignore that advice.
The first is drinking and driving. Not only is it against the law to drive when you have been drinking, when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle after having a few drinks, you increase your risk of being in a car accident by more than 600 percent. National statistics show that at least 28 people a day in alcohol-related crashes each day. And those numbers continue to rise despite the known dangers.
The second factor that could help prevent fatal crashes is to always buckle up when getting into a vehicle. Whether you are traveling across the state or just around the block, study after study proves that wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death in car accidents. Not only is it the law in Virginia to wear your seat belt, but it may very well save your life.
A Virginia personal injury law statute prohibits information about whether an injured person was or was not wearing a seatbelt in a Virginia personal injury lawsuit. However, this in no way means that everyone should not wear their seatbelt because statistics overwhelming prove that seatbelts and shoulder harnesses save lives.
Contact a Virginia Accident Attorney
Losing a family member is always tragic, but when that loss is caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another person, that loss becomes often incomprehensible. If your loved one was killed in a drunk driving crash, contact a Virginia wrongful death attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have. Our legal team has successfully represented many families in getting the justice they deserved against those responsible for their loved one’s death.