Law enforcement officers report that a 53-year-old Clarksville woman was charged with vehicular homicide after allegedly killing a bicyclist in an early morning hit-and-run accident before fleeing the scene. The accident occurred around 12:15 am on Monday, Sept. 22 when the woman apparently rear-ended the man as he rode his bicycle on the shoulder of Tiny Town Road near the intersection of Needmore Road.
While investigating the accident, police canvassed the area, encountering the woman’s blue Jaguar. The car had damage and human hair from the accident victim stuck in the windshield. Additionally, parts missing from the car were identical to parts found at the scene, and the woman’s phone showed texts discussing an accident that occurred on the day in question.
Several people who saw the woman shortly after the accident told police the woman had told people she had hit a deer. The woman also told police she had hit a deer as well. After determining that the woman caused the fatal accident, police arrested her on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Her bond was set at $1.1 million, and she is in custody at Montgomery County Jail. In addition to vehicular homicide, she was also charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident causing death, failing to yield the right of way, failing to carry a driver’s license and failing to carry insurance.
Families and loved ones of people killed by drivers are often able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the allegedly at-fault driver. Personal injury attorneys who have experience in wrongful death actions may look at the facts of each individual case and evaluate whether a valid claim or additional claims might exist. If successful, families may be able to recover both economic and noneconomic damages, including funeral expenses, lost income, loss of benefits, loss of consortium and others.
Source: The Leaf-Chronicle, “Woman charged in hit and run death of Clarksville cyclist“, Tavia D. Green, September 24, 2014