The driver believed to have been at fault reportedly pulled in front of the semi-truck after a rock, which he believed came from the back of the truck, cracked his windshield. After pulling in front of the truck he proceeded to stop his vehicle while still on the interstate. This forced the truck to stop as well. Unfortunately, the victim did not have enough time to react and her car slammed into the back of the tractor-trailer. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Georgia State Patrol arrested the driver of the front-most vehicle. He is being held in a county jail without bail. In addition to being charged with vehicular homicide, the driver is being charged with reckless driving, aggressive driving, and slowing or stopping on a roadway.
Any car accident that results in a loss of life is tragic, but one that takes a mother from her children is all the more so. The victim and her family were already under financial stress, and now her children must find a way to cope with her loss. In cases like this, it can be beneficial to seek advice from a professional. An attorney that is familiar with Georgia personal injury law can help to protect the rights of victims and their families. The lawyer can pursue claims for monetary damages, based upon evidence of driver negligence that is found to have caused or materially contributed to the fatal accident.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Mother of 5 killed in I-85 crash; Atlanta man charged“, Steve Burns, Aug. 31, 2017
