Pregnant woman killed in New York car accident

No charges have yet been filed in connection with a tragic crash that left a woman and her unborn child dead on the night of Oct. 5, according to local news sources. New York police are investigating the car accident that killed a 31-year-old woman who was six months pregnant. The woman is survived by two daughters.

According to police reports, the woman was found around 11:00 p.m. having sustained severe head injuries in a crash. It appears the driver of the vehicle involved was heading westbound when the woman crossed the street south at mid-block. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with police. 

The woman was rushed to a local hospital and was pronounced dead some time later. The report did not confirm what happened to the unborn child, but it is presumed the child did not survive the accident either. The 54-year-old driver did not sustain injuries in the crash and has not been charged at this time. 

While it is noteworthy that the victim of this car accident did not appear to be crossing the street at a designated crosswalk, New York traffic law still places the onus of traffic safety on drivers. If it can be proved through gathered evidence that the driver was negligent or reckless in the operation of his or her vehicle leading to the collision, he or she could still be held accountable for the woman’s death. In the absence of criminal charges, the family can still file for wrongful death if culpability can be established.

Source: pix11.com, “Car hits and kills pregnant mother of 2 on Staten Island: police“, Christopher Brito and Anthony Dilorenzo, Oct. 6, 2015