Fatal collision leads to charges for dump truck driver

Police in New Jersey reported a collision that caused the death of a 59-year-old man on July 17. A 38-year-old dump truck driver was taken into custody and faces multiple charges in connection with the incident.

The victim’s car was stopped at a red light at an intersection in Lawrence when the dump truck driver slammed into the car according to witnesses. They also reported that the truck was being driven erratically and at a high rate of speed prior to the wreck. The truck pushed the car over 200 feet and both vehicles ended up in a lake. Lifting the truck from the water to access the car and the victim’s body required more than two hours of work by emergency personnel.

The driver of the truck was still hospitalized with unspecified injuries on the day after the accident. He was charged with death by auto, among others, and his bail was set at $250,000.

Because criminal charges have been filed against the driver of the dump truck, the family of the decedent from this incident could have a strong civil case against him. Additionally, the man’s employer could also be found liable for the accident in a wrongful death lawsuit. In determining whether or not there is a good chance that the company could be held accountable for the driver’s actions, an attorney for the victim’s family might investigate that employer’s practices. Having encouraged unsafe driving habits, improperly trained employees or ignored warning signs of employees’ dangerous driving are some examples of circumstances that could warrant a wrongful death suit against the company that owns the dump truck.

Source: FOX News, “Dump truck driver charged in fatal accident in which car wound up submerged in New Jersey lake“, July 18, 2014