Sometimes, those involved in cases where someone is killed don’t get arrested or charged right away. The police and investigators need time to collect evidence and information about what happened. Over time, the prosecution can decide to file charges if there is enough evidence to hold a driver accountable for reckless or negligent behavior.
That may be why the charges against this man took so long to file. A man involved in a fatal crash in August 2017 has been charged seven months later. According to the news from Mar. 21, he allegedly caused a crash in which a woman was killed near Henry, Tennessee. The 34-year-old man was indicted for the crash and charged with vehicular homicide in March 2018. He now faces two counts of vehicular homicide and one for reckless driving. He also face a count for DUI and for the violation of the due care law.
The crash that took place in August happened when the man tried to pass a turning truck by entering the right shoulder. During the right-hand turn, they collided. The driver of the SUV, the 34-year-old charged with vehicular homicide, was in the vehicle with a 37-year-old who was killed in the crash. She was thrown from the vehicle.
Although only one person was killed, Tennessee’s laws allow for two homicide charges. There is a vehicular homicide charge and DUI vehicular homicide charge against this man.
Cases like this may end up in both criminal and civil court. The families of those who have been killed have the option to pursue a wrongful death claim in civil court alongside any criminal case or on their own without criminal charges filed.
Source: The Paris Post-Intelligencer, “PARIS TN: Martin man charged in fatal August wreck,” Ken Walker, March 21, 2018
