Friend admits to causing fatal auto accident

A night out with friends at a favorite local haunt can be a great way for adult friends to unwind after a stressful week or to reconnect after time apart. Grabbing a few drinks and some grub is a great way to get the gang back together. While it’s certainly fine for patrons over the age of 21 to purchase and consume alcohol in Pennsylvania, it is against the law to drink and drive with a blood-alcohol content over the statutory limit. A recent story warns drivers of what can happen when someone breaks this law and causes a fatal auto accident. 

A Pennsylvania man admittedly consumed about 15 drinks while out with friends. According to witnesses, the group was asked to leave the establishment. At this point, the man in question, a 26-year-old, insisted to the rest of the group that he was fine to drive, and the friends loaded into his car. 

The man subsequently lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. He is estimated to have been driving about 90 mph at the time of the crash, well over the posted speed limit. Police say his blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. Sadly, a passenger in the car, one of his best friends, died a few days later as a result of the serious injuries he suffered during the crash. 

The man apologized in court to the victim’s family, pleading guilty to criminal charges stemming from the incident. He received a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. In these types of situations, a victim’s family may have other legal recourse, which in turn could help cover medical bills, burial costs, and other documented damages that stem from an auto accident. A compassionate attorney can help surviving family members bring the driver responsible for the crash to justice in civil court, and pursue recovery of documented monetary damages.