An Arizona man who was accused of causing a car accident while under the influence on Aug. 24 was taken into police custody. The fatal crash took place on State Route 85 at the Broadway Road intersection in Buckeye.
Authorities stated that the 21-year-old man was driving a 2013 Dodge Ram pickup on State Route 85 when he failed to stop at a stop sign. The Dodge collided with a Volkswagen Beetle. A man who was sitting in the front passenger seat of the Volkswagen vehicle did not survive the incident. The Volkswagen driver suffered abrasions and cuts from the wreck.
When the man was questioned by the authorities, he reportedly admitted that he had been drinking earlier in the night, and he also allegedly told officers that his girlfriend was the one driving. However, police said that her injuries were consistent with injuries caused by the passenger side seat belt. She later reportedly told the authorities that her boyfriend was actually the driver.
The man was detained the morning after the accident while he was being treated at West Valley Hospital. He was charged with one count of reckless manslaughter and three counts of endangerment.
When someone is injured in a car accident that is caused by an intoxicated driver, the injured victim might have the option to file a civil suit, which could allow him or her to potentially recover the damages associated with the wreck. This might include medical treatment costs, income lost while recovering and possibly pain and suffering depending upon the circumstances of the case.
Source: CBS5AZ, “Suspected impaired driver arrested in fatal Buckeye crash”, Steve Stout, August 25, 2014