It appears Wisconsin doesn’t corner the market when it comes to drunk drivers. In the neighboring state of Iowa, a 31-year-old man driving a van was driving the wrong way on Veterans Memorial Highway when he hit a vehicle carrying four teenagers.
As a result of the auto accident, two of the teens suffered serious injuries and were taken to the hospital. One 16-year-old female suffered only minor injuries, but her 17-year-old friend, who was a passenger in the back seat, was killed.
The 16-year-old climbed out of the wrecked vehicle and told the driver of the van to call 911. When he refused to make the call, she realized he was going to leave the scene. He allegedly was drunk, so she took his car keys, not allowing him to leave until the police arrived.
The man allegedly told the Des Moines Register he had drank six beers, but he denied he was responsible for the accident. His alcohol content was allegedly over twice the legal limit at .178. He is currently being held in jail. Among his charges are suspicion of homicide by vehicle and two counts of serious injury by vehicle. Thanks to the brave teenager who took his car keys, he avoided being charged with hit-and-run as well or possibly causing another accident.
When a drunk driver causes a accident that results in serious injury or death to another, the driver can be held responsible for damages. Injured parties can file a personal injury suit for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional suffering, loss of income and other claims.
When a life is lost, it is even more tragic. The family of the deceased can file a wrongful death suit to be compensated for their loss, which may include medical costs related to the injury, funeral costs and loss of companionship.
Source:
huffingtonpost.com, “Jessilyn Eisman Takes Car Keys From Drunk Driver Who Killed Friend: Cops” No author given, Jul. 07, 2013
