Losing a child to any circumstance is tragic. Several families are dealing with injuries or the loss of a child following a car accident that occurred in Phoenix on Friday, Feb. 28. According to reports, one 4-year-old girl died of her injuries after being transported to the hospital following the accident.
Police report that three vehicles were involved in the accident, which occurred in the early evening hours near the intersection of Osborn and 83rd Avenue. The first vehicle was a Ford Explorer. Police report that the driver of the Explorer entered into traffic, striking a Chevy Malibu. The Explorer then went on to hit a Nissan Frontier pickup truck.
Police report that the driver of the Explorer was taken to a hospital following the incident. She was seven months pregnant. Police report that emergency surgery was conducted to deliver the baby.
Two children who were passengers in the Nissan Frontier were also taken to a local hospital. One of the children was the 4-year-old girl who died of her injuries. Her brother is currently in the hospital, though police report he is in stable condition. Police also report that neither of the young children were in child seats, though both were wearing seat belts.
Police report that the newborn baby was in critical condition as of Sunday, March 2. Police are investigating the incident, specifically whether there was impairment on the part of the pregnant driver.
When numerous vehicles and factors are involved in an accident, it can be difficult to assign fault for injuries and damages. Even if the pregnant driver was impaired, she could be held liable for the incident if a civil lawsuit proves she knew she shouldn’t have been driving at the time or made other negligent actions. In such a case, a detailed legal review can help determine whether further action is likely to be successful.
Source: My Fox Phoenix, “Police release name of 4-year-old girl killed in crash” No author given, Mar. 02, 2014