By definition, an accident is an unintentional and unexpected occurrence. Are car accidents still accidents if the ensuing tragedies could potentially have been avoided had the person responsible not carelessly decided to get behind the wheel of a car while drunk? One such example occurred only recently in Missouri when a man’s alleged drunk driving apparently caused in the death of an unborn baby in the resultant car wreck.
A 26-year-old man is facing multiple charges after allegedly causing the tragic accident. According to reports, police arrived at the scene of a hit-and-run after a man reported that his broken-down car had been rear-ended as it sat on the side of the highway. The 18-year-old stated that a speeding, dark-colored truck had collided with the back of his car and then sped away. Officers were shortly able to locate a truck matching the description given by the victim. When they pulled over the truck, they conducted a field sobriety test on the driver and arrested him.
Tragically, when the disabled vehicle was rear-ended, the 18-year-old’s pregnant girlfriend had been sitting in the car. The girlfriend was taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital for treatment of the injuries she had suffered in the crash. These injuries posed a threat to her unborn child, and doctors attempted to save the baby by performing an emergency C-section, but the infant died.
The driver of the truck has been charged with driving while intoxicated and causing injuries and death to another person, as well as leaving the scene of the accident. Regardless of the outcome of any criminal case against the man, the driver and his girlfriend have the right to explore their options for a civil suit. A Missouri personal injury attorney with experience in cases involving car accidents would be able to help the couple pursue justice and compensation for medical bills and other expenses related to the accident in the wake of this tragedy.
Source: kansascity.com, “Lee’s Summit man accused of drunken driving, causing death of unborn baby in wreck“, Ian Cummings, March 28, 2017