Police suspect alcohol a factor in deadly car crash

A 65-year-old man and his grandson died from the injuries they suffered in a crash involving two vehicles in South Carolina at approximately 5:45 p.m. on July 27. Six other individuals who were involved were injured. Police believe that the fatal car accident was due to drunk driving.

Police stated that the now-deceased man was driving on North Main Street in Sumter when he abruptly lost control of his vehicle, a Lincoln Town Car, and drove into the opposite lane and into the path of a Ford Expedition. The Lincoln driver and his passenger were pronounced dead at the scene by first respondents. All six of the Ford occupants sustained various injuries in the collision. While a helicopter took some of the victims away for treatment, the remaining injured were transported by ambulance to Tuomey Regional Medical Center, according to a report.

Highway officials stated that both drivers and their passengers were all wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. The Sumter Coroner told reporters that the deceased man’s blood alcohol content level was over the legal limit by about three times.

Drivers who consume alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel not only put themselves and their passengers in danger, but anyone who may be sharing the roadway with them. In instances where a drunken driver collides with another car, anyone who was injured in the crash may be able to hold the driver liable for his or her losses. An attorney may be able to use information from police reports and toxicology reports to prove that a driver was negligent. If a claim is successful, the injured parties may be awarded for their medical costs, lost wages and other damages.

Source: WLTX, “2 Killed, 6 Injured in Sumter Accident“, Jennifer Bellamy and Megan Rivers, July 28, 2014