A crash that killed two Gordon, Pennsylvania, men earlier this week is being investigated as a criminal matter, according to police officials in Mount Carmel Township. That news may offer some comfort to the victim’s devastated family members, who could decide to file a wrongful death lawsuit as a result of the at-fault driver’s actions.
Ironically, the two men, ages 76 and 92, were on their way to a doctor appointment for routine health checkups when the car accident occurred. The men were being taken to a hospital in Danville by a relative. The 40-year-old driver was the niece of one victim and the granddaughter of the other. It was just after noon when the woman’s car, traveling on Route 54, was hit by a pickup truck that had swerved out of its lane and into oncoming traffic. The collision killed both men and injured the woman. It also left the pickup truck driver in critical condition.
Witnesses reported seeing the pickup truck driving erratically before the crash, which has led Mount Carmel police officers to suspect the truck driver was intoxicated. The township’s police chief said criminal charges may be filed against the driver once the investigation is complete.
Family members of the victims, both war veterans, have been struggling to accept the deaths. As they prepare funerals for the men they may also want to consider holding the other driver financially liable. A civil lawsuit could cover not only the cost of the funeral expenses, but the medical bills incurred by the woman driving the men to their appointments. After suffering so much loss, it’s not unreasonable to seek some compensation from the driver whose actions caused their pain and suffering.
Source : Republican Herald, “2 Gordon men die in crash,” Eric Scicchitano, Feb. 5, 2013
- Our firm represents Pennsylvania residents who have been injured or lost someone in a serious car accident. To learn more about our practice, visit our Harrisburg car accident page.