Driving under the influence, or DUI is a crime, and many people wrongly assume that this situation only involves the use of alcohol and then deciding to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Simply put, a New York DUI can involve much more than alcohol, and this reality was reinforced with a recent tragic Hempstead van accident that led to the death of an innocent woman who was merely out mowing her lawn before she was run down by a van being driven by a teenager.  As it turns out, prescription drugs were in use at the time of the unexpected fatality.

The accident occurred last week when an 18-year-old woman was driving a van with her boss and veered off the road on Cathedral Drive in Hempstead. She drove up onto the lawn of the victim and ran her over, killing her while she was working in the yard. The suspect was charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, driving while ability impaired by drugs and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

New York DUI Auto Accident Attorneys

According to statements, the suspect took the wheel at the behest of her boss who was also in the car because he too was high on pain killers. What's worse is that initially, the defendant did not express a high degree of remorse because the woman killed was 69 years old and had 'lived a long time.'

Aside from the obvious criminal charges the woman faces, she could also face substantial civil liability from the family of the woman who was killed. Wrongful death actions can be difficult for a family to manage after they have lost someone who was suddenly and wrongfully killed, which is why it's best to seek the help of a New York wrongful death attorney.

Contact a New York Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have lost someone you love due to the negligence or recklessness of someone else, you need the help of a New York wrongful death lawyer who understands how to hold those responsible for these losses accountable. Contact Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald today to schedule a free initial consultation.