While alcohol has been a major contributor to car accidents causing injury and even death, we don’t hear much about the effects of drug-related car accidents. However, they do happen and probably more often than most people think. It only takes one bad choice of getting behind the wheel while drinking or drugging to find yourself in criminal or civil court for injuring another person.
A 31-year-old woman unfortunately found this out recently. With regrets, she sobbed openly in court while facing charges of homicide for her part in a car accident that took the life of a disabled man. The Greendale woman was driving while under the influence of marijuana when her Cadillac Escalade hit a 54-year-old disabled man walking down the road. She pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to one year in jail. After the jail sentence, she will serve another four years on probation.
In addition to marijuana found in her system, her cell phone showed that a text message was received shortly before she called 911 after hitting the man. However, it is unclear if she was actually texting at the time of the accident. She may or may not have read the text message received.
The family of the deceased was not available to attend the woman’s sentencing, but a letter from the man’s brother was presented. Clearly, the brother was heartbroken over the loss of his family member, who he called his hero. He also displayed his disappointment with the woman, who allegedly was still unable to beat her drug addiction. She had apparently tested positive for drugs three additional times, even after going through a one-month treatment program.
People who injure others by reckless behavior are not only subject to criminal charges, but they can also be subjected to civil lawsuits. Victims or families of lost loved ones may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, loss of income and pain and emotional suffering, as well as any other effects from the accident.
Source:
jsonline.com, “Greendale woman gets one-year term for striking, killing disabled man” Ashley Luthern, Oct. 02, 2013
