A 15-year-old high school student was killed when a 21-year-old man reportedly ran a stop sign in Dawson County on July 4. Three other teenagers were injured in the car crash.
The wreck happened about 9:30 p.m., at the intersection of Industrial Park and Lumpkin Campground roads, which is a little over an hour away from Atlanta. The man was driving a Dodge Ram pickup and the teenagers were in an Acura. Two 16-year-old boys and another 15-year-old girl were in the Acura. The teen who passed away died at the scene of the accident.
According to police reports, the man is facing charges for driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, failure to stop at a stop sign, reckless driving and other traffic charges. The results of a drug and alcohol blood test are pending.
When a loved one is lost in a tragic crash, it affects the family, friends and community. The death of a teenager due to someone else’s negligent and reckless decisions makes the loss even harder to bear.
Even though a civil case does not require criminal charges to be filed, a conviction for DUI can help the plaintiffs provide their case for compensation. They may seek recompense for wrongful death, final expenses, medical expenses, pain and suffering and more.
An attorney can help you learn more about how a civil lawsuit can proceed, as well as how to deal with the insurance companies involved in the case. While a monetary award can never replace a loved one or undo the injuries suffered by other victims, it can help the families financially and may help them feel some sort of justice in the case.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Driver faces homicide, DUI charges after crash kills teen soccer player,” Ellen Eldridge, July 10, 2017