Although it becomes, at times, second nature, drivers are constantly assessing their situations and making decisions that allow them to respond appropriately. Distractions in the vehicle that cause a driver to overlook the need to make an adjustment often have serious consequences. In fact, police in Tennessee say that a 16-year-old female recently lost her life in a motor vehicle accident.
The victim is said to have been riding in the bed of a pickup truck one afternoon on a day in May. An adult and another juvenile are believed to have been riding with her. A 22-year-old male was reportedly driving the truck with two juvenile passengers in the cab with him. Police say that the driver failed to stop at a red light.
As a result, police claim, the truck struck a van that was making a left turn with a green arrow. The three occupants of the bed were ejected from the vehicle. While everyone in the truck was injured and was transported to the hospital, the 16-year-old passed away as a result of injuries suffered. Police believe that alcohol was involved in the crash and say that charges are pending.
It may be easy to overlook the important role that certain traffic signals serve. However, this motor vehicle accident appears to be a reminder of the harm that something as simple as failing to stop at a traffic light can cause. Now a family is burying their loved one as well as their hopes for her future. Often, families in Tennessee who have experienced such a loss also find themselves overwhelmed with the financial consequences of funeral expenses. To help cope with these costs, they have the option of filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the parties deemed responsible.
Source: dnj.com, “Teenager killed in Sunday afternoon crash on South Church Street“, Mariah Timms, May 21, 2018