Drunk driving accidents are senseless crimes that could have been prevented if the drunk driver made the choice not to drive. With all of the options available for getting around these days, including Uber, Lyft, taxis, bus lines, and similar options, there really isn’t any excuse for drunk driving.
Sadly, these accidents still occur. One fatal drunk driving crash on I-85 brings the importance of driving sober back into the limelight.
Gwinnett County officials charged a 23-year-old man with vehicular homicide in connection with the wrong-way accident. The man slammed head-on into a vehicle driven by a 44-year-old man, killing him. The passenger in his vehicle was seriously injured.
The alleged drunk driver is now free on bond, but the decedent’s family members are struggling with their loss. The man left behind five young children and a pregnant wife. Those little ones have to grow up without their daddy. They may never fully understand why he isn’t coming home.
This accident highlights the fact that decision-making skills become lax when drivers are impaired. I-85 is a busy corridor, which means the driver should have realized he was driving against the flow of traffic.
For families who have lost loved ones in drunk driving crashes, seeking compensation might provide a small sliver of comfort. This is a way, on top of criminal charges, that family members can hold the drunk driver accountable for his or her actions. Any monetary award that is received can help the family cover medical bills and final expenses and allow them to get the help they need to cope with their loss.
Source: previously published article on WXIA, “Family remembers man killed in wrong-way crash as beloved father, nurturer,” Duffie Dixon and Adrianne Hane, Feb. 01, 2017