Charges follow after fatal car wreck in Tennessee

Instead of celebrating Mother’s Day with their mom at the beginning of May, a Tennessee family had to set up a memorial for her near the accident scene where she was killed just two days before. Reports of the fatal car wreck was received around 9:47 p.m. on the Friday before Mother’s Day. At the time of the accident, the 37-year-old mother was traveling with her 4-year-old daughter when the accident happened.  

It is stated that the alleged DUI driver was speeding towards an intersection when she struck the deceased’s vehicle from behind and then skidded into the car next to it. The vehicles that were struck were stopped at the intersection, waiting for the light to change, when the accident happened. Both mother and daughter were injured and taken to a medical center in the area. The mother passed away in hospital due to the severity of her injuries.

Police reports mention that the 61-year-old driver who crashed into the cars displayed signs of intoxication. It is now believed that she may have been under the influence of a pain-relieving narcotic and not alcohol. Although she at first consented to her blood being drawn for testing, she changed her mind when she reached the hospital. She has been charged on a number of accounts.

Irrespective of the outcome of the criminal charges, the family of the deceased victim of the car wreck has the option to file a wrongful death claim against the reckless driver. In Tennessee, a successful wrongful death claim may assist the family of the deceased to meet unexpected expenses arising from the accident. This can help ease a family’s financial suffering during a time when they are already emotionally hurting.

Source: oakridgetoday.com, “Warrants: Narcotic pain-reliever suspected in fatal crash“, John Huotari, May 17, 2016