Police officers found a hit-and-run victim at the intersection of Olive Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2013. Throughout the night, fatal accident investigators and forensic technicians investigated the car accident.
At approximately 9:40 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2013, police found the suspect at his girlfriend’s apartment and took him into custody. The man’s 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood was discovered one block away from the apartment. The suspect, who has a long criminal history, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to provide financial responsibility and vehicular homicide.
The accident victim was a 65-year-old man who had immigrated to the United States from Congo three years ago. He was the primary caregiver for his 15-year-old handicapped child and leaves behind four children between the ages of 9 and 20.
Families who have lost a loved one in a hit-and-run accident may struggle emotionally and financially, especially if the victim was a primary breadwinner. In addition to the lost income, they may be faced with staggering medical bills and funeral costs. Surviving family members may be entitled to financial compensation for their loss. In a situation where there has been excessive negligence, for example a hit-and-run, the family may also be entitled to punitive damages.
The first step a family may want to take is to contact a personal injury attorney. If the family wishes to seek punitive damages or simple compensation, an attorney may be able to help. An attorney may be able to negotiate with insurance companies and other responsible parties to obtain the maximum settlement amount.
Source: WATE.com, “East Knoxville man killed in hit-and-run accident“, josh Ault, July 08, 2013