Two young Tennessee girls, aged 17 and 15, had to be airlifted to a university hospital after being struck by a driver in a truck. The truck crossed over into the other lane and hit the car, which was driven by the 17-year-old high school student. The 17-year-old student tried to avoid the crash, but the truck hit her car head on. The students were both part of their local Tennessee school’s cheerleading team, and the driver had just made the cheerleading squad at a Kentucky college. The driver of the truck was also taken to a medical center for treatment after the accident.
The 17-year-old driver of the car suffered a broken femur for which she had to undergo surgery. The passenger was on a ventilator in the intensive care unit of the hospital. The accident not only had an effect on the students but on their friends and family members. The teachers and counselors at the girls’ school offered counseling to students after the accident. The car accident appears to have occurred because of drunk driving.
The truck driver has been cited for different criminal charges, including driving under the influence and vehicular assault. The police have continued to investigate the case to determine her role in causing the serious injuries of the two teenage girls. Under federal law, vehicular assault is a class D felony that can result in jail time for between two and 12 years, license revocation for up to five years and heavy fines and penalties.
After an automobile accident, bills pile up quickly, even with insurance. A car accident attorney may be able to help individuals who have been in a drunk driving accident where other parties were at at fault. A lawyer specializing in automobile accidents might help to ensure that insurance companies provide a fair payment for vehicle repairs or injuries resulting from the accident.
Source: Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “DUI Offenses Outline”
Source: Clarksville Online, “Two Montgomery Central High School Chearleaders injured in DUI accident Thursday Morning“, May 17, 2013