A teen bicyclist was killed on Oct. 6 after he was struck by two motor vehicles, purportedly. Authorities stated that the accident took place near the Waterbury intersection of Baldwin and Pleasant streets at approximately 8 p.m.
The bicyclist, 18, was on Baldwin Street when he was hit by a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, authorities said. The impact of the collision propelled the teenager off of the bike and onto the roadway, where a second vehicle then ran over him. Allegedly, both vehicles continued traveling after making contact with the bicyclist, and neither one stopped. Emergency personnel transported the teenager to St. Mary’s Hospital. That is where he ultimately died on account of the injuries he suffered in the bicycle accident, purportedly.
Police reportedly located the driver of the vehicle that initially hit the teenager. Officials charged him with felony evading responsibility in addition to other charges associated with the event. Police did not locate nor identify the second alleged hit-and-run driver immediately following the wreck. However, officers did secure surveillance footage from a number of businesses located in the vicinity of where the accident transpired, according to police.
A fatal accident like this one may give rise to not only criminal charges but also civil action. That is because families of deceased bicycle accident victims might seek to hold other parties responsible for the deadly incident if investigations were to yield significant evidence showing that those parties’ actionable behavior contributed to the accident. Furthermore, certain family members of the decedent may be deserving of financial compensation via civil action.
To be precise, bereaved family members may file a wrongful death suit against the at-fault parties. If successful, they might be awarded restitution for the damages they suffered in connection with the fatal incident, including funeral bills and burial costs.
Source: WFSB, “Waterbury teen killed in hit-and-run crash”, Rob Polansky, Robert Goulston and Joseph Wenzel IV, October 07, 2014
