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1 killed in 2-vehicle accident; other driver fled scene

On Behalf of | Jun 26, 2014 | Drunk Driving Accidents

One person was killed in a two-vehicle accident that occurred on June 20 about 60 miles south of Cleveland, Ohio near Canton. The incident happened close to the Fohl Street SW exit of Interstate 77 at approximately 5:25 a.m. According to investigators, a 20-year-old motorist lost control of a 2003 Dodge Caravan while traveling in the northbound lanes, crossed the median and struck a 2004 Dodge pickup truck head-on. The 28-year-old pickup driver was transported to Aultman Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving.

According to police, the driver fled the scene on foot. Witnesses told responding officers that multiple people may have been in the van. Police used canine officers and helicopters to search for suspects, and the driver was apprehended. After being taken into custody, he submitted to a breath test and registered at more than twice the legal limit. He was charged with drunk driving, failure to control, fleeing an accident scene and aggravated vehicular homicide.

The crash reconstruction and criminal intelligence units contributed to the investigation later on in the day. Local authorities reopened the lanes approximately four hours after the accident.

Immediate relatives of the accident victim may consider filing a wrongful death suit in court. Plaintiffs in civil cases that involve car accidents can win restitution for medical expenses, funeral costs and other financial hardships caused by the victim’s death.

In this instance, an attorney for the family of the decedent would need to prove that the defendant’s negligence caused the accident in order to justify compensation from the court. The fact that his BAC was measured at two times the legal limit would serve as a critical piece of evidence in any civil litigation against him.

Source: Cantonrep.com, “Suspect ran from scene of fatal I-77 crash; victim ID’d “, Lori Monsewicz , June 20, 2014

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