The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported 47 deaths in pedestrian accidents in Connecticut in 2014. However, negligence is not the only cause of these accidents, which may also be blamed on reckless and even criminal behavior.
Some of our readers may remember seeing a news story about a motorist who struck and killed a 20-year-old Connecticut College student on the northbound side of Route 32 in New London during the early morning hours of December 18. The suspected driver fled the scene. Police were called after a passerby saw the victim lying near the Connecticut College entrance.
Police said an off-duty New London police officer quickly located the vehicle involved, believed to be a Chrysler, which was suspected to have caused the crash. They said that a suspect was identified on the day of the crash and did not earlier release details of the accident to avoid harming the investigation.
Police arrested the 25-year-old suspect on January 28 for second-degree manslaughter, misconduct with a motor vehicle, tampering with a witness, tampering with physical evidence and evading responsibility. They took him to custody at his residence around 6:15 p.m. after the warrant was issued. He posted a $150,000 bond.
The victim was from Lahore Pakistan and was expected to graduate in 2017. He was scholar in the Tort Center for International Studies and the liberal arts, known as a talented writer and compassionate student and was a leader in the college’s LGBT community.
Victims of these tragic accidents and their families may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. While no result is guaranteed and civil damages cannot eliminate the grief caused by these accidents, the right approach may help assure that evidence is found and that rights are protected during court proceedings and settlement discussions.
Source: Hartford Courant, “Police arrest suspect in fatal Route 32 hit-and-run,” Lindsay Boyle, Jan. 22, 2016
