Man with sleep medicine in system charged for fatal accident
A New Jersey man who was charged with involuntary manslaughter in 2008 was recently sentenced to 41 months in prison. The 47-year-old man pleaded guilty to the charges that occurred on military property near Fort Monmouth. The fatal car crash happened when the driver was near the east gate. The driver drove his vehicle across the double-line and traveled into oncoming traffic resulting in a head-on collision with a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle that was struck was a school principal who was en route to work.
The head-on collision resulted in the death of the school principal. After investigation, the driver who crossed the double-yellow lines was found to have four times the recommended dose of Ambien in his system. The prescription sleep aid most likely attributed to his inability to operate a vehicle and contributed to the death of the driver he collided. The loved ones of a person killed in an accident like this might have a wrongful death claim. Compensation from the claim would go towards funeral costs, medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
The driver has pleaded guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter and will serve a 41-month prison sentence followed by probation.
A car accident could involve a negligent driver and the life of an innocent driver can be taken away due to this negligence. A fatal car accident can be life altering for the loved ones of the deceased. Drivers should always practice safe driving and should not get behind the wheel if they are not capable of driving the vehicle safely. This also means evaluating whether or not a medicine, prescription or over the counter, could affect their driving abilities and cause impairment.
Drivers should always travel at a safe speed and follow all posted traffic signs and signals. If a driver has daily medical prescriptions, it is important that they seek medical advice about how that medicine could affect or impair their ability to drive.
Source: Associated Press, “Driver sentenced for sleep aid-related fatal crash” Dec 18, 2012
Our New Jersey law firm assists car accident victims with personal injury or wrongful death claims. More infromation is available on our website.
