A horrific three-vehicle accident claimed the life of a Millbury woman late last Friday night. The fatal crash resulted in the arraignment of a Sutton man charged with motor vehicle homicide.
The car accident occurred just before midnight on Grafton Street, when the defendant allegedly swerved his pickup truck into oncoming traffic, striking the Millbury woman’s car. The truck rolled over the woman’s car, crushing her vehicle and trapping her. The pickup continued its path of destruction, striking yet another vehicle before resting on its side.
Witnesses assisted the defendant, 23, and his passenger from the mangled pickup truck, but were unable to access the Millbury woman – a 43-year-old mother of two – who died. Responding police officers and the helpful witnesses noted that the defendant smelled of alcohol and his eyes appeared both bloodshot and glazed.
Witnesses also stated that they saw the pickup truck driving recklessly just minutes before the fatal crash, even attempting “doughnut” maneuvers on Grafton Street.
The defendant man faces charges of motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence and driving negligently, violating marked lanes, driving under the influence (DUI) and driving negligently. The accused entered pleas of not-guilty. His attorney stated that his client was trying to avoid a collision with another car, and that’s what caused him to swerve into the victim’s lane.
The defendant will likely be named in a civil lawsuit, too. A wrongful death claim brought by the victim’s family would seek damages that the deceased could have recovered from the negligent driver, had she survived the collision.
This horrible accident is one of the latest drunk driving accidents to plague Worcester and the surrounding communities. These alcohol-related crashes are especially tragic, because they could easily be avoided through the use of taxis, designated drivers and responsible alcohol consumption.
If you or a loved one has died or suffered from the negligence of a drunk driver, contact an experienced Massachusetts personal injury attorney to hold the at-fault party accountable for the harm caused to your family.
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, “Driver in fatal crash posts $8K bail” June 28, 2011.
