Some people in Colorado and around the country choose to leave the scene of an accident they caused. An illegal choice, those who choose to flee after causing a vehicle wreck can face serious criminal charges in addition to possible civil suits from the accident victims and their family members. One man from Pueblo who purportedly caused a fatal accident may face both types of legal repercussions if he is found.
Accident details
Around 9:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1, a vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Highway 47 and Bonforte Boulevard. Officers found two vehicles at the scene, each with considerable damage. One vehicle was a Jeep that sustained heavy damage to its rear, and its driver had been ejected from the vehicle. The 76-year-old man driving the Jeep was taken to a local medical center where he passed away from his injuries.
The other vehicle at the scene was a Chevrolet Avalanche with considerable front-end damage. Authorities confirmed the identity of the driver, a 37-year-old man with a long history of traffic violations. The man fled the scene on foot, but police have issued a warrant for his arrest.
Legal recourse for victims
The surviving family of the man killed in this accident can seek to pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver of the Avalanche in an attempt to recover damages. In order to increase their chances of obtaining a successful outcome, affected parties will want to work closely with an experienced personal injury attorney in Colorado from the beginning. A lawyer will present evidence to prove the alleged at-fault driver’s negligence and unlawfulness in causing the accident in order to hopefully convince the court to award damages to the deceased victim’s surviving family members.