Too many deaths have resulted from vehicle accidents in Missouri that were caused by drivers who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Losing loved ones in such car accidents is devastating and will likely leave surviving family members traumatized for a long time. A driver who was responsible for the death of two people is currently awaiting sentencing that is scheduled to take place in April.

Reportedly, the fatal accident occurred in April 2013. Apparently, the 44-year-old driver crossed into the opposite lanes and crashed into a vehicle occupied by two people, ages 90 and 91 years. During the recent court hearing, the driver who crossed the center of the road admitted having been impaired by heroin when she caused the accident.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter, along with controlled substance possession and the use of drug paraphernalia. In fact, she told police that she had traveled to St. Louis in order to purchase capsules of heroin. In court, she admitted having injected herself with heroin while she was driving and claimed to have lost consciousness.

When Missouri residents lose loved ones in car accidents that resulted from the negligent actions of another party, they may pursue compensation for end-of-life expenses and other financial damages. Filing a wrongful death claim in a civil court will require sufficient evidence of negligence that is found to have caused or materially contributed to the fatal accident. Proof of a criminal court conviction, such as was obtained in this case, may be offered as evidence of financial liability in a related civil court lawsuit.

Source: connectmidmissouri.com, “Woman injects heroin while driving, kills two”, Feb. 20, 2015