Drunk driving accident kills 2 in Pennsylvania

A 25-year-old man stands accused of vehicular homicide after a fatal accident in Exton, according to local sources. Pennsylvania police are calling the incident a drunk driving accident, which claimed the lives of two local teenagers. The man is currently being held against a $75,000 bond in advance of a criminal trial. 

According to the accident report, the pickup truck the man was driving seemed to be moving erratically and at a high rate of speed just before the accident. The man apparently struck a minivan carrying six individuals, sending an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old out of the vehicle. Both teens were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. 

Police say the man appeared to be intoxicated when interviewed by officers on the scene, and he also apparently failed roadside sobriety tests. However, law enforcement has not articulated how far above the legal limit he may have been when the accident occurred. He now faces DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges, both of which potentially carry hefty penalties in Pennsylvania. So far, no court date has been set, but the man remains in custody for now. 

A drunk driving accident is perhaps one of the most singularly devastating accidents for the families of deceased victims because of its preventable nature. The state of Pennsylvania takes DUI charges very seriously, and if the man is found guilty, he will likely face the full measure of the law. Separately, the surviving family of the deceased victims will also be entitled under state law to file wrongful death suits against the driver. Evidence used in the criminal case can be offered to support the civil suits, should the family choose to pursue them. 

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: philly.com, “Man charged in Exton crash that killed 2 teen siblings“, Emily Babay and Justine McDaniel, Feb. 17, 2015