Drunk driver suspected in fatal car accident in New York

A pedestrian who tragically lost his life in Manhattan in the early morning of Jan. 30 is believed to have met his end at the hands of a drunk driver. New York police are investigating the cause of the fatal car accident, which happened around 4:15 a.m. The driver, who also reportedly struck and injured a woman, has been arrested for suspicion of drunk driving among other charges. 

According to the accident report, a 46-year-old man was struck by the vehicle driven by the 34-year-old Bronx resident believed responsible for the crash. The man was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. He has not been publicly identified by police pending notification of his family. 

A 46-year-old woman was also struck by the same driver. She was rushed to the hospital as well, where she remains in stable condition and is expected to recover. The driver reportedly fled the scene before returning some time later. He has been charged with DUI, vehicular manslaughter as well as leaving the scene of an accident. No court date was listed as of this report. 

Should the driver be proven to have been drunk at the time of the car accident, the criminal charges against him could have severe consequences. Separately, New York law allows the family of the deceased man and the injured woman to file wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits in a civil court setting. Even if no criminal charges are filed or convictions won in court, the evidence gathered by police may be offered to support a civil case of this type. 

Source: cbs6albany.com, “Police say drunk driver fatally strikes pedestrian in NYC“, Jan. 30, 2016