A woman who allegedly caused a car crash in Meigs County in August of 2012 has been arrested. She is now facing vehicular homicide charges nine months after the fatal car accident.
The woman was heading northbound on Highway 58 in the southbound lane when she reportedly struck another vehicle head-on. Police report that she did not have her headlights on and that she might have been impaired due to drug consumption. The other vehicle’s driver died in the car collision. The woman who faces charges was taken to a nearby hospital, along with three of her passengers. The woman was arrested in Florida, where she is now a resident. She was taken to the Meigs County Jail where she awaits trial on one count of vehicular homicide and three charges of reckless endangerment.
In addition to any criminal penalties imposed on the woman, she may also face civil liability. When a negligent driver causes another person to be injured or killed due to negligent behavior, the victim or the victim’s family may be able to seek compensation. Negligence may be established by the victim’s attorney by showing that the defendant driver did not drive a reasonably prudent manner. For example, a drunk driver, distracted driver or inattentive driver may have acted negligently due to being impaired or not paying attention.
A victim or his or her family may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Due to the complexity of proving negligence, a victim or his or her family may consider retaining the services of a Knoxville personal injury attorney.
Source: WRCB TV, “Woman charged in fatal Meigs County crash“, May 02, 2013