More Details Come to Light Regarding Collision That Killed 2 Children in Cedar Park
According to Statesman, investigators believe reckless driving—specifically, racing—may have played a role in the tragic collision that killed an 8-year-old boy and his 1-year-old stepbrother earlier this month. Police have arrested and charged the 18-year-old motorist who was involved in the fatal crash.
After investigating the accident, authorities determined the man had been racing another pickup truck just before the collision occurred. The man was traveling west on W. Whitestone Boulevard in a Dodge Ram truck when he crashed into a Nissan SUV as it was turning left onto Walton Way.
Riding in the SUV were the two young boys who sustained fatal injuries. The 31-year-old woman who had been driving the SUV remains in critical condition in a coma. According to the family’s community, the woman was the stepmother of the 8-year-old boy and the mother of the baby who died in the accident.
Based on footage from surveillance cameras near the scene and eyewitness testimony, investigators determined that the driver of the pickup truck had been racing another vehicle prior to the collision. Police booked him into Williamson County Jail.
He faces charges for two counts of racing on highway causing death, which is a second-degree felony. Authorities have asked the community for help identifying the motorist whom the man had been racing. They believe he or she was driving a red Ford F-250.
If you or someone in your family sustained critical injuries in a crash with a reckless driver, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Attorney N. Eric Cooper helps clients throughout east Texas recover the compensation they deserve. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation with an accident lawyer in Longview.
How Do Police Determine Fault in a Motor Vehicle Collision?
Before they can assign fault in a car crash, police must determine the underlying cause of the incident. As the case above illustrates, they might rely on eyewitness testimony and nearby surveillance footage to piece together the events leading up to an accident.
Police may refer to local traffic laws when assigning fault, as well. When a collision occurs at an intersection, for example, officers will consider who had right of way just before the impact.
Toxicology screenings can also provide irrefutable evidence regarding fault. There may not be a test to prove reckless, drowsy, or distracted driving, but authorities can certainly identify impaired motorists by conducting a simple blood test shortly after the incident. In the state of Texas, toxicology tests are typically mandatory following a crash that caused injury or death.
If you were hurt in a car accident with a drunk, distracted, or drowsy driver, you have the right to pursue compensation for the damages incurred. To discuss your case with a compassionate accident attorney in Longview, contact the Cooper Law Firm today.
Attorney N. Eric Cooper will interview witnesses and gather evidence to ensure you have the strongest case possible when going up against the insurance company or opposing party. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation. You can learn more about car accident claims in Texas by visiting USAttorneys.com.