Cause of fatal accident in Lawrence not yet determined

At 2:45 in the morning, the intersection of Saratoga and Park Streets in Lawrence would probably be fairly quiet. It is a primarily residential neighborhood, with a few small business establishments dotting the corners.

It was at this corner that a fatal car accident occurred. An Acura Integra clipped a pickup truck and crashed into a utility pole. The 20-year-old driver of the Acura died at the scene of the crash and his two passengers were injured. The driver of the pickup truck stopped to inspect the damage to his truck, and then got back in his vehicle and left the scene of the fatal car accident.

First responders took a 20-year-old female and 19-year-old female passenger to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries. They were both expected to survive the crash.

Police on the scene collected crash evidence that somehow led them to a 56-year-old man who owned a Chevrolet pickup truck. There was damage and transferred paint on the pickup truck although the 56-year-old says he does not recall being in any accident. He was described as being cooperative.

Witnesses describe the Acura as speeding prior to the crash and also describe the pickup driver getting out of his truck and then leaving the scene. The police speculate that the 56-year-old may have caused the Acura to swerve to avoid the truck.

There are several issues which could be considered negligence. The pickup truck drive left the scene of an accident and may have failed to yield the right of way. The Acura driver may have been speeding. Either of those could be considered negligence.

When negligence is present, the injured parties may be eligible for compensation for their injuries including pain and suffering so the two female passengers could sue either the 20-year-old’s estate or the 56-year-old or both. If the truck driver was negligent, the surviving family members of the 20-year-old could seek wrongful death compensation for their loss.

It could all depend on negligence or fault.

Source: Eagle-Tribune, “Methuen man killed in Lawrence car crash,” Jill Harmacinski, Nov. 11, 2012