Fatal car accident leads to charges in New York

A man is facing serious charges, including drunk driving and homicide, following a fatal crash on Long Island on the early morning of Nov. 25, according to local sources. New York authorities accused the man of a number of charges following his arrest after the single-car accident killed his passenger. So far, it is unknown if the accused man has secured legal representation. 

The accident report says the 23-year-old man was in the process of exiting the Meadowbrook State Parkway when the accident occurred. Sources say he lost control of the vehicle he was driving, causing it to crash at high speed into a tree, where it caught fire. Authorities had to extricate the driver and his 23-year-old female passenger from the wreck.

The driver suffered serious injuries, including head trauma and two broken legs. He was transported to a local hospital in critical care. His passenger succumbed to her injuries at the site of the accident and was declared dead. The man now faces charges, including aggravated vehicle homicide, second-degree manslaughter and drunk driving. 

The preventable nature of this horrific car accident makes it perhaps even more tragic. While the accident is still under investigation by New York authorities, it seems likely the case will go to trial and there is a good chance the man may face criminal punishment for his role in the accident. Even if he is not found guilty in a criminal court, however, the family of his deceased passenger will be entitled under state law to file a wrongful death suit against him in a civil court. 

Source: CBS New York, “Brooklyn Man Charged Following Fatal Crash On Long Island“, Nov. 27, 2014