There are numerous reasons why people in New York, and elsewhere, may choose to flee from authorities at traffic stops. Should this give rise to a chase, however, it could result in a serious car accident. While many law enforcement agencies have protocols in place to help avoid such outcomes, there are situations when they still occur. As a result, innocent drivers who were otherwise uninvolved may suffer serious injuries, or death.
According to reports, a police chase in Dix Hills resulted in a fatal head-on collision on the Northern State Parkway recently. The woman who authorities were pursuing was killed, as was the driver of the other vehicle that was involved in the wreck. She was purportedly traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic when she slammed into the other vehicle. It remains unknown to the public at this time how long the chase went on before the crash.
News sources report that the chase was initiated when the woman fled a traffic stop in the early morning hours. The authorities reportedly stopped her on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle and drunk driving.
Losing family members in collisions caused by negligent or careless drivers can be devastating for people in New York, and throughout the U.S. In addition to dealing with their grief, some may find themselves unable to meet their financial obligations without their loved one’s income. Working with an attorney, however, may help those who have experienced situations such as this to understand their options for pursuing compensatory damages. Although this cannot bring their loved ones back, it may help to ease the financial strain of their loss.
Source: ABC7NY.com, “Woman fleeing Long Island traffic stop drives wrong way on highway, crashes; 2 dead,” Stacey Sager, Oct. 20, 2015