A driver involved in a fatal collision in Kingsport on July 19 has been indicted by a Sullivan County Grand Jury. The man was charged with speeding, driving under the influence, driving left of center, reckless endangerment, reckless aggravated assault and vehicular homicide by intoxication.
According to the Kingston Police Department, the fatal car accident took place at about 5:00 a.m. on East Stone Drive near Tyson Lane. A Honda Accord was reportedly traveling the wrong way on the road when it collided head-on with an eastbound Kia Spectra.
The driver of the Kia was killed as a result of the impact. The driver of the Accord and his female front seat passenger were both taken to Holston Valley Medical Center for treatment of possible injuries. Both vehicles sustained extensive, disabling damages. At the time of the accident, police believed that alcohol and speeding had played a role in the accident. Blood test results from the Honda driver allegedly confirmed this, yielding a .15 percent at the time of the accident, almost twice the legal limit in Tennessee. Additionally, the investigation reportedly revealed that the Honda had been traveling upwards of 73 mph in a 45-mph zone at the time of the accident.
The family of a deceased victim might file a wrongful death claim against an accused driver to recover damages resulting from the victim’s death. The information from any applicable police investigations and criminal charges brought against a driver can be used as evidence to show liability and negligence in a civil suit. In Tennessee, a successful claim might result in rewards for non-economic damages including the pain and suffering of the deceased due to the injury and for economic damages including expenses incurred due to the victim’s loss.
Source: WCYB, “Kingsport man charged in fatal July accident“, September 25, 2014