Drunk driving accident in Pennsylvania leads to conviction

A May 28, 2014, car accident has finally led to a conviction and at least some semblance of justice for the family of the victim, according to local sources. Pennsylvania authorities found a 43-year-old man guilty for his role in a drunk driving accident that claimed the life of a 34-year-old man two years ago. Thankfully, the family will be able to file a wrongful death suit against the driver to supplement what they feel was a sentence not befitting his crime. 

According to the accident report, the 43-year-old was drunk behind the wheel when he plowed his box truck into the back of the other man’s Jeep on the evening of May 28. The force of the impact propelled both vehicles into another truck, effectively crushing the Jeep. The man was pronounced dead at the scene of the horrific crash. 

Police on the scene searched the other man’s vehicle and found beer and open whiskey in the truck. They conducted a roadside sobriety test that brought back a .22 blood alcohol level, nearly three times the limit in Pennsylvania. He was found guilty and sentenced to five to 10 years in federal prison. The family of the deceased man does not believe this is sufficient. 

Thankfully, they have some recourse under Pennsylvania law. The law states, in the case of a drunk driving accident, the family is entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver found guilty. Any evidence garnered by police in their investigation can be used to support such a civil case.

This blog entry was posted on behalf of [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-1″], and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the firm or its attorneys. The information presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice.

Source: The Morning Call, “Drunk driver sentenced to 5 to 10 years in crash that killed Kutztown native“, Laurie Mason Schroeder, Mar. 7, 2016