An 18-year-old woman died in a tragic drunk driving crash last week. The accident happened at approximately 9:30 p.m. in Durham. A 25-year-old driver from Durham lost control of her vehicle, crossed into opposing traffic and hit another vehicle head-on.
An 18-year-old man was driving the car that was hit. The 18-year-old woman who died was a passenger in his car. Authorities pronounced her dead at the accident scene. The driver of the car that was hit and two other passengers were rushed to the hospital. As of last reports, police indicated that they suffered from non life-threatening injuries.
The woman who lost control also suffered from non life-threatening injuries. Authorities have since charged her with felony death by motor vehicle, failure to stay in her lane and driving while intoxicated. In court, the woman’s attorney said that the woman is devastated by the events that happened.
Last Monday, North Carolina Central University held a vigil on the campus where the young woman who died was enrolled as a pre-nursing student. At the vigil, the university’s interim chancellor stated that the loss of their dear classmate was heartbreaking. A friend said that she would always be her twin and her sister, and that her loss wasn’t fair because it happened as a result of a drunk driver.
When a North Carolina resident dies because of a drunk driver’s unlawful behavior, it’s extremely heartbreaking. Although no amount of litigation can ever reverse such a wrong, close family members of those killed by drunk drivers can pursue a wrongful death claim for financial restitution and justice in court.
Source: WNCN, “NCCU freshman killed in Durham head-on crash; woman charged,” April 10, 2017