Long Island Woman Steals Police Car After Causing Fatal DWI Accident

Intoxicated drivers create serious hazards on New York streets. Even after crashing their vehicles and killing innocent people, they may continue to wreak havoc. Some drunk drivers ditch their crashed vehicles, jump into other cars, and repeat the pattern all over again. This is exactly what happened when a drunk driver in Long Island stole a police vehicle after crashing. Can you file a wrongful death lawsuit in Manhasset after losing a loved one to a drunk driver?

Drunk Driver Steals Police Car From Responding Officer After Causing Fatal Crash 

In April of 2024, NY Daily News reported that a woman had stolen a police vehicle directly after causing a fatal crash. The collision claimed the life of a 64-year-old, prompting the intoxicated defendant to exit her vehicle and lie in wait. When a police officer arrived at the scene, the woman watched the officer emerge on foot and waited for her chance. With the officer’s back turned, the woman entered the police vehicle and drove away.

Fortunately, local police were able to remotely disable the police vehicle before she could cause another serious crash. After being shut down, the police vehicle slowed to a halt – and officers were able to finally arrest the intoxicated driver. She was subsequently charged with numerous offenses, including manslaughter, larceny, hit-and-run, and DWI.

Suing After a DWI Fatal Hit and Run 

If your loved one died in a fatal DWI accident,  you may have the opportunity to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver. While New York operates based on a no-fault system, serious injuries (including fatalities) fall outside of no-fault restrictions. In other words, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver.

This type of personal injury lawsuit can cover your non-economic damages, which are not covered by PIP no-fault insurance. These non-economic damages can be quite severe after fatal DWI accidents, and they may include grief, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and so on. While at-fault drivers may attempt to flee after causing crashes, police can track them down effectively. Even if the driver gets away, you could still potentially turn to no-fault insurance for compensation.

 Key Takeaways 

• Families of those killed by drunk drivers may pursue wrongful death claims
• Many drunk drivers attempt to flee after causing fatal crashes
• Drunk drivers face up to 10 years in prison for causing fatal crashes

Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Manhasset Today 

Cohan Law, PLLC can guide you toward justice, closure, and compensation after losing a loved one to a fatal DUI accident in Manhasset. A wrongful death lawsuit in Long Island can hold a drunk driver accountable for their gross negligence. It can also provide you with enough to cover funeral expenses, unpaid medical bills, lost future income, emotional distress, and other damages you might have endured. Book a consultation with our New York personal injury lawyers to discuss your legal options in more detail.

Source:

 nydailynews.com/2024/04/24/long-island-woman-dui-flee-public-safety-vehicle/