Tennessee driver kills a child during lane changes

A fatal accident in Tennessee involved an intoxicated driver who caused a child to die in Sumner County. Law enforcement later charged the driver with several different crimes for their actions. 

Driver caused the death of a baby during a failed attempt to pass the victim’s vehicle 

The incident was first reported by local news for Nashville. The 14 month old child’s mother and father were driving from Clarksville to Gallatin. The child was secured in the backseat. 

The initial investigation from the police showed that the suspect’s car attempted to pull around the couple’s vehicle to pass them, but collided during this maneuver. The victim’s SUV was sent into a small body of water near the roadside and flipped over. 

As rescue crews arrived, they attempted to save the young child who had been submerged under water for approximately twenty minutes. Some witnesses had also tried to help in the moments before law enforcement and EMTs arrived. After approximately 45 minutes of struggling, the child was extracted from the carseat and resuscitated. They airlifted her to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to be treated. 

After spending 11 days on life support, the parents decided to discontinue treatment. 

The driver at fault for the accident was also suspected of drunk driving, and was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, vehicular assault, and driving under the influence. She was being held on a $75,000 bond. A few days later, the charges were upgraded to vehicular homicide after it was confirmed that the child had died. 

The suspect’s family released a statement that they are remorseful and experienced many different emotions due to the tragedy. 

Civil cases and wrongful death actions

After a fatal accident, it is possible for the victim’s family members to be compensated for their losses in civil court. This will require a lawsuit that is handled separately from any criminal charges that the state may bring. Evidence of criminal activity, such as drunk driving, can be used to help prove negligence. 

The wrongful death lawsuit will help pay for expenses such as medical treatment and hospitalization, funeral costs, burial services, and the victim’s future lost wages and income. There are also non-economic damages related to emotional pain and suffering available as well. The total of these damages is generally much more substantial than amounts that are available after any auto insurance claim. 

Get help from a local accident lawyer 

If you have been injured or a family member has died in a motor vehicle accident anywhere in Tennessee, it is important to speak with a lawyer about your options. To learn more about the process of a civil lawsuit and compensation, contact:

The Law Office of George R. Fusner

7104 Peach Court, Brentwood TN 37027

615-251-0005

gfusnerlaw.com