Drunk driver responsible for death of pedestrian

A man in New York recently lost his life when he was struck by a van while crossing the street. This event occurred the evening of Dec. 31, on East 125th Street. Authorities say the driver was impaired at the time of the accident. According to state laws, when a drunk driver causes another person to experience bodily harm or death, he or she may be held responsible for the victim’s or their surviving family’s losses.

According to reports, it was at approximately 5:50 p.m., when the victim was crossing the road and he was hit by a Safelite Auto Glass van. The force of impact threw him several feet down the street. Sadly, he died at the scene. It is unclear if investigators have identified the victim, as he was not carrying any form of ID.

The driver — a 23-year-old male — is said to have remained at the scene of the accident until police arrived. He did participate in sobriety testing. His blood-alcohol concentration was reported to be twice the legal limit, so he was promptly arrested. He has since been released, but prosecuting attorneys say they have plans to pursue this case.

It has not been reported if the drunk driver was on duty when the accident occurred. Still, as he was operating a company vehicle, both he and his employer may be held accountable for any losses this event has caused the victim’s loved ones. If they would like to pursue relief, an experienced attorney may be able to help them do just that by filing the appropriate claims in a New York civil court.