Authorities are prosecuting two men who allegedly caused a fatal car accident in 2015 that resulted in one death and multiple injuries. The men, ages 33 and 32, were both accused of involuntary manslaughter relating to the accident. In addition to the manslaughter charges, the 33-year-old man was charged with refusing a sobriety test and DUI and the 32-year-old man was charged with disorderly conduct and DUI.
The accident, happened in April 2015 when the two men were operating vehicles that collided in an intersection. A 33-year-old woman, who was riding in the 33-year-old man’s vehicle died as a result of the collision. In addition, four people were hurt, one of them with serious injuries that required hospital care.
Police ruled that the 32-year-old man was to blame for the accident. According to prosecutors, he was traveling at a speed of 70 mph, even though the speed for the area was 35 mph. The 32-year-old man pleaded guilty to his charges last week and is set for sentencing this February. He will likely face jail time for the conviction. As for the other driver, his defense attorney is trying to argue that it did not matter whether the man was drunk, since he would not have been able to avoid the collision regardless his state of intoxication.
Family members of people killed in DUI crashes in Virginia Beach may be able to pursue financial claims for wrongful death damages against the drivers responsible for the crashes. Also, injured parties can seek compensation to pay for their medical care and other damages.
Source: wavy.com, “Joint trial underway for DUI suspects of fatal Va. Beach crash,” Kevin Green, Oct. 25, 2016