Wrong way car accident leaves 1 injured in New York

A woman injured by a speeding SUV in Brooklyn is in the hospital, according to local sources. New York police responded to the car accident that injured her on Feb. 4 and have apparently gained possession of video footage of the incident. The driver of the vehicle is currently facing unspecified charges in connection with the accident.

According to reports, the 52-year-old woman had just entered the intersection with her dog when the SUV struck her. The vehicle was apparently moving at a high rate of speed and travelling the wrong way down the street. Security camera footage of the incident shows the woman being swept out of sight by the vehicle. The dog was unfortunately killed in the impact. 

Although the woman was apparently alert when first responders arrived, she was rushed to a local hospital with serious injuries. Her current condition is unknown. The driver, who received minor injuries in the crash, was apparently fleeing police at the time of the crash, and it has been suggested he may have stolen the vehicle involved in the accident. According to the report, he faces a number of pending charges that have not been made public. 

If the driver is convicted on criminal charges pertaining to the car accident and the alleged theft, New York law says the injured woman can use evidence gained in the police investigation towards a civil suit if she chooses. A personal injury suit is handled by a civil court and requires evidence that the driver was negligent or reckless in a way that contributed meaningfully to the car accident. A criminal conviction is not necessary for a civil court to award damages to the injured party. 

Source: Washington Times, “Woman injured by speeding wrong-way SUV in Brooklyn“, Feb. 5, 2016