A Houston principal is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after being involved in a tragic car accident in September, 2016. According to media reports following the accident, a truck traveling on U.S. 290 struck a construction barrier sending the truck airborne before it landed on the top of a nearby SUV. The driver of that SUV, a 58-year-old woman, died instantly.
Disturbing Car Accident
There are several elements of this case that make it particularly tragic and disturbing. First, the woman who was killed was a wife, mother, grandmother, business owner, and matriarch of her family. Next, the course of the events leading up to the accident beg the question of whether it could have been prevented.
According to police, the driver that struck the construction barrier, a principal at Houston ISD’s Madison High School, stopped at the scene, but refused a Breathalyzer test. He informed police that he was on his way home from Brick House Tavern. The driver did not show outward signs of intoxication, thus police did not have probable cause to order a blood test. As a result, the driver was allowed to leave the scene for the comfort of his home.
As for the family of the woman killed, they did not learn of the accident or her death until hours later. Media reports say that the driver was free to go home and sleep in his own bed. Meanwhile, the family of the woman killed were left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.
Questioned about the incident later, the driver reported to his attorney that he had suffered a head injury, and has no memory of how the accident occurred. It is unclear if he has a medical diagnosis to support that claim. Reports shortly after the accident do not disclose whether he was treated by paramedics or at the hospital for any injuries after the accident – only that he was “free to go”.
Wrongful Death Suit Filed
The family of the woman killed has opted to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the Houston principal. Not only does the family want closure for their loss, they also want the legal system to investigate. They want to determine if the driver should face consequences for his actions. Without a Breathalyzer or blood test, it would be impossible to determine that the driver was not intoxicated. This is one factor that may be examined more closely during the course of the legal process.
A wrongful death lawsuit does not charge an individual with a crime. Rather, the goal is to determine if the defendant was negligent contributing to, or causing, injury or death to someone else. In personal injury cases, this type of lawsuit will seek to determine factors like intoxication, distracted driving, speeding, or other negligent behavior that may cause an accident.
Get Answers to Your Questions
If you have questions about wrongful death lawsuits, personal injury law, or your legal rights, contact Daic Law today. At Daic Law, we offer clients a no-obligation consultation. We are here to help you defend your rights and get the justice you deserve. For a free consultation, call 877-893-6040, or email us at info@daiclaw.com.
