A 22-year-old Army Specialist from Joint Base Lewis McChord was arrested and charged with DUI following a fatal car accident last Friday morning in Lakewood. According to the Washington State Patrol, the driver was blamed for the death of a 46-year-old man, who — just before the fatal collision — had been involved in a simple fender-bender along Interstate 5.
The fatal accident happened after a minor fender bender involved several vehicles. The drivers of those vehicles were out of their cars at the time, discussing what had happened and surveying damage, when the 22-year-old driver plowed into them.
Police arrested the 22-year-old on suspected DUI just following the accident. Other charges will likely be pending once police complete their investigations. They also rushed catastrophically injured 46-year-old to the hospital.
Following the accident, a Washington State Trooper told reporters that the incident became personal for him when the dying victim told him wth his last words, “Thank you for helping me.” The officer had tended to the mortally injured man, who couldn’t feel his feet, in order to console him and calm him. The officer said it was said that those would have to be the man’s last words.
Unfortunately, drunk drivers kill Washington residents all-to-often. However, families of people killed in such accidents can fight back to seek justice and restitution in court. By filing a wrongful death claim, families can seek financial compensation for the loss of their loved one that includes money to pay for end of life expenses, money to cover lost family income and other types of compensation depending on the facts of the case.
Source: Komo Knews, “4 injured, major Bremerton roadway closed for hours after suspected DUI crash,” Oct. 31, 2016
