According to the report, the chain-reaction collision transpired at the intersection of Old Covington Highway and Sigman Road in Rockdale County around 11:30 p.m. when a woman driving a Hyundai Santa Fe in the wrong direction on Sigman Road smashed into a black Kia. The force of the impact caused the Kia to crash into a pickup truck, at which point both cars and the truck collided with a fourth vehicle belonging to the deputy who had been chasing the wrong-way driver.
The woman driving the Kia was instantly killed in the initial collision with the Santa Fe and was declared dead by authorities who responded to the scene. A medical helicopter transported a male occupant from the vehicle to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of major injuries. Rescue personnel took the deputy to a local hospital; however, the report did disclose the extent and nature of his injuries.
Prior to the fatal collision, officials believe, the wrong-way driver in the Santa Fe was directly involved in a nearby hit-and-run crash at a local gas station parking area. Since the investigation was ongoing at the time of the report, police have not filed any charges against anyone involved in the incident.
Whenever someone dies in a car accident via a driver’s negligent or reckless conduct, surviving family members may be eligible to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. Official documentation such as police reports, reconstructionists’ reports, and witness statements may be used as evidence in such a case. Plaintiffs who prevail in such a claim usually recover restitution for their accident-related losses.
Source: WXIA, “Wrong-way driver causes fatal crash in Rockdale“, October 10, 2014
