A 16 year old boy was charged in a fatal head-on crash on April 3 in Gaston County, North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
The boy was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and careless and reckless driving. The fatal car accident happened on Patrick Road near Union Road in Gaston County.
Police added the crash killed an 83 year old man and seriously injured his elderly wife. They said the boy was driving a Ford Focus when it crossed the center line and hit a Toyota Camry head on. Police believe he was driving 80 MPH in a 45 MPH zone when he lost control.
The police added that the crash happened at a curve in Patrick Road, where there have been several accidents in recent years.
Our View
One of the most dangerous and terrifying types of car accidents is the head-on crash. This accident happens when two vehicles going in the opposite direct slam into each other.
Rural roads are a common place where head-on crashes occur as there is usually not a median between the opposing lanes of traffic. Another common area of these crashes are curves in the road on rural highways. All it takes is a moment’s inattention to lose control, go over the center line and hit another car.
It appears that drunk driving was not a factor in this fatal North Carolina car accident, but there are many other reasons these tragedies occur:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Improper passing
- Bad weather
The driver who has been charged is a young, inexperienced driver and it is tragic that his reckless behavior led to this fatal crash. Now he will possibly face criminal consequences for the death of the elderly man and the serious injury of his wife. He and his family also may be sued for wrongful death in a North Carolina civil lawsuit. It is possible that the family of the deceased will be entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering and funeral expenses. These types of lawsuits can result in large settlements that are typically paid out by insurance policies in effect at the time of the accident.
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