Pennsylvania Drunk Driver Gets Three Years For Horse Buggy Crash
While there are many DUI crashes each year in Pennsylvania, the crash involving a horse buggy on Division Highway garnered a considerable amount of attention back in 2021. Two years later, the drunk driver has finally been sentenced to at least three years of prison for causing the crash. This may provide some modicum of justice and closure to the family members of the deceased victim in the collision – but can it help with their financial losses?
Family Members See Justice for Death of Teen Buggy Driver
On October 2nd of 2023, it was reported that a drunk driver had been sentenced to between three and eight years for causing the crash that claimed the life of a teenager. The incident occurred back in 2021, and it involved the driver striking a horse-drawn buggy with an 18-year-old at the reins. The impact not only killed the teen, but also the horse. Police then determined that the drunk driver had a BAC level of .103, which is higher than the limit of 0.08.
It was then discovered that the driver was on his way back from a Fourth of July party when he lost control of his vehicle while driving 23 miles per hour over the speed limit in a 45-mph-zone. It is worth mentioning that this sentence is somewhat lenient – especially when you consider what could have been. Technically speaking, the maximum sentence for an incident like this is well over 25 years.
What Does Criminal Justice Provide Families of Deceased Victims?
The criminal justice system certainly has its place in society, and it helps dissuade further crimes by setting clear penalties for wrongdoing. Other drunk drivers may see this sentence and rethink their own decision to drive while intoxicated. But aside from a sense of justice and closure, what does criminal justice actually provide for the family members of deceased victims?
The truth is that aside from the possibility of punitive damages – which are somewhat rare – families receive very little after a sentence like this one. The only real way to pursue compensation for grief, funeral expenses, unpaid medical expenses, missed wages, and a range of other damages is to go through the civil courts. If given the choice, many families would probably prefer to receive financial compensation rather than seeing defendants put in prison for decades.
Where Can I Find a Qualified, Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Pennsylvania?
If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced Scranton personal injury attorney, look no further than the Needle Law Firm. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs – including those hurt by DUI drivers. We know that while seeing the perpetrator in jail might provide some degree of closure, you also need to cover the financial and emotional losses associated with such incidents. Book your consultation today to explore your options for legal action and compensation.
Sources:
cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/lancaster-county-sentence-deadly-dui-horse-and-buggy-crash/
ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/14-old-girl-crashes-stolen-155809185.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFo0fsuUl7Y1M5gU_k0ARmNbfWzw963V7lIx8k2fgaeiN-w7h7oeeiIDvSBwEyz20wOhwlGroB66Y67g0Ubhiz-qMKkXmPWvpm_eRjDQkGoDJWsFHGuF8IfjExwPEbobzRpC0Z73cRL1209LM28bPKGMy7qIP3yKWlz3IDXNf2oE
