When the question of drunk driving arises amongst people in Pottsville, one question that many may have is what sort of responsibility do the passengers in a vehicle driven by a drunken driver assume. Some may argue that they assume the risk that the impaired motorist presents by allowing him or her to drive. Others may contend that their trust in driver’s abilities should be respected, or that they may not have truly known just how impaired he or she truly was. In any event, if and when a drunk driving accident does occur that results in the injury or death of a loved one, families may be justified in their desire to see the driver held responsible.
The family of a Waynesboro women killed in an accident in 2014 are finally seeing that happen on the legal side. The crash occurred after the woman and three others had left a party in Maryland. The driver, who was later determined to be under the influence at the time of the crash, lost control of the vehicle, which overturned several times before coming to rest in a field. He and the other two passengers also sustained injuries in the accident.
Earlier this month, he pled guilty to multiple counts stemming from the accident, including manslaughter. His sentencing hearing is pending.
Despite the fact that the driver in this case has already faced criminal charges, that doesn’t preclude the victim’s family from pursuing civil charges against him should they so choose. Victims or families of victims involved in similar accidents may need the compensation that comes from such action to get through the struggles that their accidents cause. Earning such compensation may be possible with the assistance of a personal injury attorney.
Source: Herald-Mail Media “Hagerstown man pleads guilty in DUI crash that killed Pa. woman” Dec. 16, 2015