Drinking and driving is never a good decision, and the only difference between instances of this conduct that can be drawn is the degree of negative consequences that result. Tragically, the worst-case scenario played out early yesterday morning when a woman was hit and killed by the driver of an SUV after exiting the vehicle about 30 miles south of Fairbanks. The driver has been arrested and charged with felony DUI and manslaughter.
According to police, the latest suspected Alaska DUI accident occurred at approximately 2 a.m. near Mile 332 of the Richardson Highway. 46-year-old Nina Batey had been driving a friend in her SUV when the friend got out of the vehicle. For unknown reasons, the unidentified woman was hit and run over by Ms. Batey's SUV and killed. The driver is being held in jail pending the application of formal charges against her.
Alaska Fatal DUI Accident Statistics
First, we'd like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of the woman who was killed. Losing a life in such a cruelly random and violent manner is always a tragedy, and we hope that those close to her are somehow able to overcome their grief and sorrow. In addition, this fatal Fairbanks car accident only adds to the overall statistics regarding fatal Alaska DUI accidents. Every year, approximately 40 percent of the people killed in Alaska car accidents lost their lives in accidents where alcohol was listed as a factor in the crash.
Alaska Wrongful Death Lawyers
While it's clear that the driver of the vehicle faces serious criminal charges, it's also possible for the family of the woman who was killed to pursue a claim in an Alaska wrongful death lawsuit. If such a claim was filed and proved successfully, it could lead to an award of damages that compensate the family for medical, funeral and burial costs as well as damages for lost income and loss of companionship, depending on the specific factors relating to the situation.
If you have lost someone you love to a drunk driver, you need to seek the help of Alaska DUI accident lawyers who have been successfully fighting for the rights of grieving families for several years. Contact Barber & Banker today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Alaska Personal Injury Lawyer