1 Killed in Suspected Drunk-Driving Accident

An Oct. 19 accident in Woodbridge involving an alleged drunk driver claimed the life of a 25-year-old man, according to the New Jersey State Police. Reportedly, the event occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike at about 4:09 a.m., when a southbound 2002 Volkswagen Jetta rear-ended a tractor-trailer that was traveling in the truck lanes near mile marker 93.5.

The 25-year-old man was a passenger in the Jetta, authorities said. He suffered blunt-force trauma on account of the collision, and officials pronounced him dead at the accident scene.

Police detained the driver of the Jetta, a 24-year-old man, and charged him with driving while intoxicated and death by auto. However, it was not disclosed immediately following the accident how police arrived at the suspicion that the Jetta driver was impaired at the time of the incident. Police indicated that they are continuing to investigate the suspected drunk-driving accident.

In wrongful death lawsuits stemming from fatal accidents, claimants may use the results of blood alcohol content testing as evidence to show a civil court that a driver was impaired and therefore liable for the accident and its damages. Additionally, in this type of lawsuit, evidence might be drawn from a police report, which might include the investigating officer’s observations of the crash scene as well as witness statements. This evidence might be used to support the claims made by the decedent’s family in the wrongful death complaint. In New Jersey, a successful claim might result in restitution for the funeral and burial expenses incurred by the family as well as other financial losses experienced by the family as a result of the victim’s death.

Source: NJ.com, “Driver charged with DWI after crash kills passenger in Woodbridge“, Anthony G. Attrino, October 20, 2014