According to authorities, a two-car accident has resulted in the death of a man from Athens, Alabama. Following the tragic incident, the driver of the other car was arrested and charged with DUI. The fatal accident occurred on a recent Saturday.
State troopers allege that a 73-year-old man was driving in a sedan when he was hit by a 49-year-old man driving a pickup truck. The older man was not even a half-mile away from home. The Limestone County Coroner reports that the older man succumbed to his injuries at the accident scene. He died of blunt-force trauma, according to the coroner’s report. Troopers say that the victim had not been using a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Meanwhile, the driver of the pickup survived the accident uninjured. However, authorities did take him into custody on charges of drunk driving. He spent the evening at the jailhouse in Limestone County and was released the next morning after posting $1,000 bail.
At this time, authorities are continuing to investigate the accident, and they have yet to release any details relating to the allegedly drunk driver’s blood alcohol levels. At a later time, the district attorney may decide to dismiss the drunk driving charges in order to re-file the charge as murder. Regardless of what happens to this allegedly drunk driver in criminal court, the man may also face wrongful death claims in civil court. Also, should family members decide to seek restitution for the loss of their loved one, a criminal conviction would server to bolster their claim for damages.
Source: The News Courier, “2-vehicle wreck kills Athens man, leads to DUI arrest” Kim West, Jun. 02, 2014
