Massachusetts man killed in wreck may be victim of wrongful death

A Massachusetts police officer who was reportedly charged in a previous drunk driving incident last year has just been charged in a tragic accident. A 26-year-old man was killed in the accident, and his family likely considers the tragedy was a wrongful death. The man’s sister was also injured in the collision.

According to the report, a Massachusetts police officer was traveling west on a local road when his car left its lane and entered the eastbound lane where the victim’s car was traveling. The officer’s SUV smashed head-on into the vehicle carrying the man and his sister. The man later died after being cut-out of the wreckage. His 21-year-old sister was also transported to a medical facility where she is expected to recover from her injuries.

The police officer was taken into custody and has been charged with vehicular homicide as well as driving under the influence. The man was charged in 2013 for a drunken driving offense over the July 4th holiday. He was placed on administrative leave at work and was only readmitted for duty this past June. A judge has now set his bail on the new charges at $500,000.

The man’s career as a Massachusetts police officer appears to be in jeopardy. The family of the deceased victim is likely mourning their loss while praying for the recovery of the young woman. They are entitled to pursue civil litigation against the accused man in the form of a wrongful death lawsuit as a result of the young man’s untimely death. Moreover, the injured woman has a separate right to initiate a personal injury claim as well. Victims, including the surviving family of deceased victims, typically pursue these suits as a way to seek recovery of the monetary damages sustained with respect to these types of tragic accidents.

Source: The Boston Globe, “Lowell police officer charged with vehicular homicide and OUI after Methuen crash leaves 26-year-old dead“, Claire McNeill, Aug. 23, 2014