Fatal New York accident leads to two arrests

Humans have very basic responsibilities to one another. First and foremost, humans must attempt to ensure that their actions do not intentionally cause harm to others. If an accident occurs, there is a responsibility to attempt to provide aid. Leaving the scene of an accident is a dereliction of this responsibility and can result in criminal charges. For example, police in New York say that a driver who attempted to flee the scene of an accident that resulted in another man’s death is now facing multiple criminal charges.

The accident happened one night in June. According to reports, a sports utility vehicle was headed north on a New York road when police say that it collided with an eastbound van in an intersection. The driver of the SUV is accused of attempting to run from the scene; he was ultimately detained by police.

A 20-year-old passenger in the van passed away as a result of injuries suffered in the accident. The driver of that vehicle required treatment at the hospital for back and neck pain. While the 29-year-old driver of the SUV faces multiple charges, including leaving the scene of an accident and manslaughter, his 21-year-old male passenger faces drug charges.

While the emotional ramifications of an accident such as this are often obvious, many people are less aware of the financial strain a family coping with the unexpected loss of a loved one may experience. Often, funeral expenses and loss of wages can become an insurmountable burden. To help with these costs, many victims — including surviving family members in the case of a fatality — seek recompense in a New York civil court. If negligence can be proved, victims can receive an award of damages, making them better prepared to manage the financial consequences of their loss.

Source: abc7ny.com, “1 dead in East New York car collision; 2 charged“, June 11, 2016