When a serious accident takes place, you expect a person to stay at the scene. When someone stays at the scene, that person has the ability to help others who have suffered injuries and has the chance to call for help that otherwise might not arrive. If someone flees the scene, then that person puts everyone else’s lives at risk.
A woman from Grants Pass has been arrested for fleeing the scene of an accident. The March 19 report states that the woman now faces a DUII.
The Oregon State Police reported that there was a car crash at milepost 59. There, they had count a Volkswagen Jetta flipped onto its side. The driver, a 62-year-old man, was trapped inside the vehicle. The passenger, 18, was able to get out but was seriously injured. Both were taken to the hospital immediately. The older man passed away from his injuries after he arrived at Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Around 20 minutes after the time of the accident, a vehicle was stopped around a mile away. The vehicle, a 2010 Subaru Legacy, had taken damage, and the officer realized the vehicle was previously involved in the accident. The 28-year-old woman was arrested and charged with a DUII.
While the Oregon State Police are still investigating the crash, they believe that the Subaru rear-ended the Volkswagen, forcing it off the road. Then, the driver fled the scene. The driver may face additional charges after the investigation is complete.
In cases like this, a driver faces criminal charges and a civil case. You have the right to pursue compensation from the negligent driver who fled after hitting you.
Source: The Oregonian, “Grants Pass woman arrested for DUII after fleeing fatal crash,” Lizzy Acker, March 19, 2017