If you have ever lost a loved one due to the recklessness or senselessness of another’s actions, you understand the variety of emotions that one can experience. A lost loved one can never be brought back and loved ones must learn how to go on living without them. Sometimes compensation for a wrongful death can help, at least with the monetary issues that arise from a missing loved one. That may include funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses, compensation for loss of companionship and mental anguish.
An accident on Thanksgiving day that took the life of an elderly couple was a seemingly senseless accident. It occurred on the Ohio turnpike and was caused by a 24-year-old man who was driving 125-150 mph when he ran into a van driven by the elderly couple, both of whom were 77 years old. The van burst into flames, and the couple who were trapped inside, died at the scene.
The driver of the car was taken to a psychiatric facility for evaluation. He is still being held at the Toledo psychiatric hospital, where he allegedly is being treated with anti-psychotic drugs. The man has been charged with four felony counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Apparently, the man has been dealing with psychiatric issues since he had brain surgery to remove a tumor and cyst when he was younger. His attorney claims that he has been an inpatient in hospitals several times due to psychiatric issues.
If the man is found not competent to stand trial, which is currently under evaluation, the case will be continued for a year, and then he will be evaluated once again for competency. If he is still considered to be incompetent, he will no doubt end up in a mental institution.
The young man was a college graduate just last year majoring in computer information systems. He has apparently been living on his own. His parents are dead and he seems to have no other family.
The accident is still under investigation, and there are pending charges that say the man was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, but that evidence has not been revealed.
Source: Mansfield News Journal, “Man pleads insanity in Thanksgiving turnpike fatal” Kristina Smith, Dec. 26, 2013