Nobody should ever have to worry about being injured by a drunk driver when they are on the roadway. Unfortunately, DUI accidents are not uncommon in and around the Philadelphia area. These incidents can lead to severe injuries for everybody involved, and a recent case in our area highlights the devastation of impaired driving. The team at the Dan Doyle Law Group wants to discuss this recent crash and what you can do if you are injured by a drunk driver.
Kimberly Hartz was five months pregnant when an SUV she was riding in with her boyfriend was struck by a driver on the 4900 block of Whitaker Avenue at around 10 p.m. on May 13. Police say that the driver of the vehicle that struck Hartz and her boyfriend was being driven by 42-year-old Charles Smith. Authorities say that Smith was high on PCP and under the influence of alcohol when he slammed into their vehicle at nearly 100 mph.
Tony O’Connor died in the wreck, and police say that Hartz’s unborn child also did not survive the incident. Speaking recently, Hartz, who also had to have her leg amputated due to the incident, says that she and O’Connor had known each other since high school and had been together for approximately four years.
“He meant everything, he was my everything, you know when things got hard, he was always there for me,” said Hartz.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were approximately 128,000 total traffic collisions during the latest reporting year across the Commonwealth. Statistics from the DOT sure that there were 331 alcohol-related crash deaths that year, which means that 28% of the total traffic fatalities were the result of impaired driving. As the story above illustrates, these incidents do not only result in fatalities – they can also lead to severe injuries. Kimberly Hartz suffered an amputation, and we know that the following injuries are also common in the aftermath of DUI accidents in Pennsylvania:
If you or somebody you care about has been injured due to the actions of a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs, seek legal assistance immediately. At the Dan Doyle Law Group, we have vast experience handling these cases and are ready to conduct a thorough investigation into your crash. Our goal is to secure full compensation for what happened to you, which can include:
When you need a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 215-987-3730.