According to reports from the Missouri State Highway Patrol website and an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch today, an 8-year old boy was killed in a car accident yesterday, and the driver of the car- the boy's 31-year old mother- was arrested by police 15 minutes after the crash under suspicion of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Involuntary Manslaughter. The crash happened at about 11:58 AM in Franklin County. Apparently the mother also had her 3 daughters, ages 1, 1, and 2, in the car as well, but they weren't injured.
If the mother/driver is charged with DWI and Involuntary Manslaughter, it will be based upon the conclusion that there is no proof the she intended to kill her son. However, if she is found to have been intoxicated before noon and driving her young children around in that condition, she is very likely headed for prison. A wrongful death case may also be pursued by family members on behalf of the boy.
Though no amount of money will ever bring a dead loved one back, people must be held fully accountable for their bad decisions that hurt or kill others. Also, the sudden death of a family member often leaves the family with large and unexpected bills, and the recovery of insurance proceeds helps alleviate the financial strain in an already difficult time.
If you or a loved one has been placed in this infortunate situation, contact the Injury Law Center and our wrongful death law team will provide you with the assistance you need during a difficult time. Our condolences go out to the family of the boy who lost his life.
