On July 29, an auto-pedestrian accident occurred on Middle Road in Ellington when an 87-year-old woman was hit by a car while retrieving her mail. She was to Rockville General Hospital by ambulance and later transported by helicopter to Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford. Authorities reported that she died from the injuries she suffered in the accident.
The driver of the Ford Focus that hit the woman was an 88-year-old man from Ellington. He was not injured, and police do not think the man was impaired by alcohol or driving over the speed limit. They also did not suspect that the man suffered a medical episode. Police said that because the accident took place on a hilltop and in curved section of the road, the man may not have seen the victim.
Middle Road remained blocked off for hours due to the accident. No charges were filed against the driver of the Ford. The victim would have turned 88 on the day after she was killed.
When a fatal pedestrian accident occurs, the loss of a loved one can be catastrophic for surviving family members. Aside from the worries that can stem from losing someone on whom you depended financially, the sudden loss of companionship after a family member’s death can lead to significant emotional trauma. Regardless of whether or not criminal charges are filed after an accident, there may be reason to file a civil lawsuit. The family of a deceased accident victim might seek the advice of a personal injury attorney. In addition to the possibility of winning a wrongful death lawsuit, that lawyer could also negotiate a settlement if a potential defendant in a civil suit wished to keep the matter out of court.
Source: NBC Connecticut, “Elderly Woman Struck By Car in Critical Condition“, July 29, 2014
