Drunk driving accident kills 1 in Pennsylvania

A woman has been charged in the death of a senior citizen, according to local law enforcement. Police are investigating the suspected drunk driving accident which took place on Aug. 23 and claimed the life of an 84-year-old Pennsylvania resident. The woman suspected of being responsible for the accident is currently awaiting a trial date in early October.

According to police records, the 52-year-old woman was driving her vehicle when she allegedly lost control and struck the elderly man as he was repairing a fence on his property. The man sustained critical injuries in the crash and was rushed to hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead the same day.

Police say the woman initially told officers she had not been drinking, but later admitted to stopping for a beer on her way home from work. A subsequent search of her vehicle revealed several open containers of beer plus more in the trunk, leading police to request a roadside sobriety test they say the woman failed. A later blood test revealed her blood alcohol level to be more than twice the legal limit in Pennsylvania. She is currently in custody on a $50,000 bond.

This tragic drunk driving accident could have been avoided if the woman in question had observed Pennsylvania laws pertaining to safe operation of a motor vehicle. If she is found guilty, she will face severe legal penalties. In addition, the family of the deceased victim will be entitled to file a wrongful death law suit against her, which would be handled separately from criminal charges in a civil court setting.

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: pottsmerc.com, Berks woman charged with homicide after hitting man, 84, with her car, Caroline Sweeney, Sept. 19, 2013