Charges filed in North Carolina hit-and-run auto accident

Charges have been filed in a North Carolina hit-and-run accident that occurred on Sept. 18. Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the auto accident, but believe that speed may have been a factor. Authorities do not believe that impairment was a factor, however.

When police arrived at the scene of the accident, they found a vehicle that had slammed into a utility pole. The 19-year-old driver of that vehicle sustained fatal injuries in the crash and died at the scene. A 21-year-old passenger was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital. A three-year-old boy suffered critical injuries, and two other children under the age of two were both seriously injured. The current conditions of the injured victims were not reported.

The 18-year-old driver believed to have been in the vehicle that fled the scene surrendered himself to authorities. As he was interviewed by police, it became apparent that he was involved in the accident. He was charged with a felony count of hit-and-run and involuntary manslaughter. Authorities are still attempting to determine exactly what happened.

Since the teenage driver has been charged in connection with the auto accident, police must be fairly certain that he was partially responsible. As such, the family of the deceased victim may file a wrongful death claim to recover any financial losses incurred since the crash. In addition, the injured passenger and the families of the injured children may file personal injury claims. As everyone in North Carolina is aware, the cost of medical care has increased dramatically and can be cost-prohibitive even with insurance. Those costs may be recovered along with pain and suffering, lost wages, and funeral expenses if applicable.

Source: wcnc.com, Police: Teen charged in deadly south Charlotte wreck, No author, Sept. 18, 2013