Car accident in New York kills pedestrian

An investigation is still underway into the death of one individual on the morning of Oct. 8, according to local sources.  New York authorities are investigating a car accident that apparently killed a pedestrian in East Greenbush.  So far, police have not filed formal charges against the single driver involved in the accident. 

The accident report indicates the driver was headed eastbound around 12:40 a.m. when the accident occurred.  The driver told police that the 27-year-old male victim “appeared” in the road, at which point he was struck by the vehicle. The driver indicated that he did not have enough time to slow down or avoid the man.  

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by arriving medical personnel. The driver was gauged to be in shock following the accident and was returned to his home via ambulance after cooperating with police.  The investigation is still underway as of this report, and so far police have not indicated whether they are considering filing formal charges against the driver in this case. 

New York authorities will need more information before they can make a decision about what to do with the driver in this case.  If the gathered evidence suggests that the driver was somehow criminally negligent in a manner that directly contributed to the fatal car accident, he may face criminal charges. However, even in the absence of such charges, any evidence of negligence on his part could be used in a civil court setting for the family of the deceased pedestrian to file a wrongful death suit against him.  

Source: news10.com, “Fatal car-pedestrian accident on Columbia Turnpike”, Jennifer Lee, Oct. 8, 2014