Police report that around 9:15 a.m., a 22-year-old Warner Robins woman was making a left turn from Burns Drive onto Russell Parkway when her 2002 Mazda Tribute was hit by a 2000 Ford F250 pickup truck, driven by a 34-year-old Perry man, that had just run a red light. The Mazda had the green light for the turn at the time of the accident. The skid marks from the Ford at the scene began before the stop line of the traffic light. The Mazda crashed into a barrier protecting some nearby gas pumps, and the driver’s side seating area and the back of the car were crushed. The pickup truck stopped on the eastbound side of Russell Parkway, facing west.
The driver of the Mazda was taken to Navicent Health Medical Center for treatment where she succumbed to the injuries suffered in the accident around 2:25 p.m. Her 49-year-old female passenger suffered serious injuries and was listed in critical condition. The driver of the Ford was treated at the scene. He was arrested and charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs, failing to obey a traffic control device, and serious injury by a motor vehicle. Police continue to investigate the incident.
In a case such as this, the family of the deceased victim might choose to file a wrongful death claim. The charges of driving under the influence of drugs and reckless driving could be used to show that the driver was negligent and directly responsible for the fatal injuries. A successful claim might yield awards for economic and non-economic damages.
Source: The Telegraph, “Police: Driver on drugs kills one in Russell Parkway crash”, Mike Stucka, October 08, 2014
