The details of the accident are not widely known at this time, but it has been confirmed that at least two people were in the car at the time of the accident. It appears the driver of the vehicle, who was a friend of the victim, may have been speeding when she lost control of the vehicle and crashed. While the force of the impact killed the victim, the current status of the driver is unknown.
Police have reason to believe the driver had been drinking at the time of the accident. She has been charged with DUI and vehicular homicide, and is currently awaiting trial. The family of the deceased woman has said the two were best friends, and they hold no ill will against her for the tragic accident, but the state may still find her guilty, and she could face jail time.
In this car accident case, the family of the victim has decided not to pursue additional legal action against the driver police believe to be responsible for the crash. This is their right, of course, but if they so desired, Georgia state law would also allow them to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver as well as anyone with ownership interest in the vehicle. Civil suits can be filed even in the absence of criminal charges, though a criminal conviction could help to bolster a civil suit in court.
Source: wsbtv.com, “Police: Student killed in crash involving drunk driver,” Tyisha Fernandes, July 29, 2017
