An Eckerd College freshman was killed in a car accident late last week. The 18-year-old was driving with another teenager in Osceola County when a pickup truck driver made a left turn in front of her Hyundai sedan. The collision caused the Hyundai to erupt into flames and both the driver and her passenger died.
A third vehicle ended up being involved in the crash as well, though the driver of this vehicle was not injured. The driver of the pickup truck did not suffer injuries either. However, the pickup truck’s driver was charged with DUI manslaughter. This driver’s blood alcohol content level was reportedly 0.14 percent when he took a breath test four hours after the crash.
A Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman stated that the driver and passenger in the Hyundai “did nothing wrong. [The pickup driver] made a left turn in front of their car.” This accident, like many other drunk driving accidents, is traumatic for all involved.
The pickup truck driver has been charged for his negligent actions. However, for the families of the two teenagers killed in this car accident, these DUI manslaughter charges may not seem steep enough. After all, this man took away their loved ones and the lives their young loved ones planned to live.
In fatal car accident cases like this, families may seek financial compensation. This compensation could cover funeral expenses and the cost of pain and suffering, in addition to lost wages. While financial compensation cannot eliminate the pain of losing a loved one, it may make the time after the accident less stressful financially.
Source: Tampa Bay Times, “Eckerd College student dies in fiery crash in Osceola County,” Kameel Stanley, March 1, 2013
