New York man accused of drunk driving in car accident

Two people are dead on Long Island after a crash police believe to have been precipitated by a drunk driver. A husband and wife were tragically killed in a car accident New York police are attributing to the intoxication of the other driver involved in the crash. That individual is now facing charges related to the tragedy. 

According to the police report, a 67-year-old man and his 66-year-old wife were headed home from their daughter’s house and were negotiating a left turn when their pickup truck was struck by a smaller vehicle. The driver of that vehicle, a 23-year-old man ,was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed. The impact actually knocked the larger vehicle onto its side. 

The occupants of the pickup truck were both reported dead shortly after arriving at a local hospital. The other driver was also injured in the crash and was taken to a hospital as well. The driver reportedly smelled of alcohol and admitted to officers on the scene that he had been drinking. He is set to be arraigned on a variety of charges once he is released from the hospital. 

Should the man be proven to have been intoxicated when the car accident took place, he will likely face jail time as well as other penalties. Separately, New York law allows the surviving family of the victims to file wrongful death lawsuits on their behalves. These civil suits, if successfully presented, can help the family pay for final arrangements,  hospital costs and related damages. 

Source: abc7ny.com, “Husband and wife killed in Long Island crash by alleged drunk driver“, April 4, 2016