Massachusetts pedestrian accident: Driver arrested after fatality

A car accident always has the potential to seriously injure those involved. However, a pedestrian accident involving a motor vehicle typically has a much higher chance of serious injuries because pedestrians have no protection from the faster, heavier vehicles. Unfortunately, one man in Massachusetts was recently killed in such an incident, which resulted in criminal charges filed against the driver of the vehicle that allegedly struck him.

Reports indicate that the accident happened in January. Police claim that a vehicle driven by a 33-year-old man struck a 25-year-old male pedestrian. The victim reportedly suffered severe injuries to his torso and head. Rescue workers say that he died at the scene.

Massachusetts prosecutors claim that the driver admitted that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. He has since been arrested and faces several criminal charges as a result. Despite the arrest, the accident remains under investigation by both state and local authorities.

The criminal process can often provide families of victims in situations such as this a certain degree of closure. For many grieving families in Massachusetts, a conviction — if obtained — can give them peace of mind knowing that justice has been served and that others are potentially protected from similar negligent actions by the guilty party in the future. However, many families who lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident find themselves struggling with the financial ramifications of their loss, including loss of wages and funeral expenses. While a criminal conviction is not necessary to prove claims of negligence in a civil court, it could support such a claim. A successfully presented case could result in a monetary award that would help provide financial relief for families in their time of grief.

Source: whdh.com, “Bail set at $5,000 for alleged drunk driver in fatal Framingham crash“, Steve Cooper, Jan. 20, 2016