Alleged DUI caused car accident injuries that resulted in death

The wife of a 64-year-old man, who died while helping to fix his grandson’s car, is devastated. After 47 years of marriage, she cannot imagine her life without him. The man died of car accident injuries he sustained in a crash on Missouri 152. Compounding the woman’s trauma is the fact that the accident could have been prevented since the driver of the other car is suspected to have been under the influence.

The grandfather was following his grandson’s car while on a test drive after doing some repairs. The faulty car overheated and they both pulled onto the shoulder of the road. They activated the hazard lights and sat together in the grandfather’s car to stay warm. As they waited for the grandson’s car to cool down, the grandfather spotted headlights in his rearview mirror. Moments later an approaching SUV crashed into the rear of both the vehicles.

The grandson waved down another motorist, who happened to be a nurse. She tried to help the badly injured grandfather by administering first aid, but he eventually succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. The grandson suffered only minor injuries. Officials reported that the uninjured driver of the SUV was suspected of being impaired and was taken into custody. It was further reported that the same driver had been arrested for driving on a suspended license in another country last month.

The investigation remains ongoing while investigators await the toxicology results. If the investigation concludes that the SUV driver caused or significantly contributed to the car accident injuries that resulted in the victim’s death, the family of the deceased man may have the right to file a wrongful death claim in a Missouri court. Although no amount of money awarded as restitution could change the tragedy, it may assist in covering the high costs of a funeral.

Source: kansascity.com, Crash kills Northland man who was helping grandson with car problems, Glenn E. Rice, Feb. 11, 2014