After a series of tragic events, two individuals lost their lives in Washington Township. One man had crashed his car, and, when a woman left her own vehicle to attempt to help him, they were both hit by another vehicle and fatally injured. It is unclear whether the driver who caused the fatal collision will face Ohio criminal charges.
A 49-year-old man was traveling west on Ohio 571 when he lost control of his vehicle, resulting in the first car accident. His vehicle rolled off of the right side of the road, and the man became trapped in the vehicle. Multiple bystanders left their own vehicles and attempted to help free the man from his vehicle while they waited on the emergency responders.
As they attempted to help the trapped man, a 50-year-old man was driving near the site of the first accident, and he collided with both a 47-year-old female bystander, as well as the first vehicle. The female bystander and the driver of the first vehicle were both pronounced dead at the scene. The investigators suspect that there could have been several factors that led to the crash, such as the position of the first crash, since it was on a curve in the road, as well as fog that had been heavy that night. Additionally, alcohol may have played a part in the fatal accident. The cause of the crash is still being investigated.
In cases such as this one, the surviving family members of victims of fatal accidents have the right to pursue compensation for their losses, regardless of whether alcohol is found to be a contributing factor. If they can prove that a driver contributed to the collision that took a loved one’s life by acting negligently, they may be awarded damages by an Ohio civil court. Damages generally include compensation for medical and end-of-life expenses and can also include awards for pain and suffering.
Source: whio.com, “Driver, bystander killed in Darke Co. crash“, Feb. 8, 2015