Each year, a significant number of people in Missouri are killed in motor vehicle accidents. Sadly, some of these victims are children. Like other accidents, head-on collisions do not discriminate when it comes to age. Even when properly restrained, the intensity of such an impact can end young lives before they have a chance to start.
Two children, a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old, died as a result of injuries suffered in a head-on collision on Oct. 19. They were in a pickup truck, driven along Highway 54 by their stepfather. At approximately 5:12 p.m., the pickup veered into the oncoming lane of travel and collided with another vehicle.
By 6:07 p.m., the Camden County Medical Examiner had pronounced the 35-year-old stepfather and the 7-year-old dead. The 5-year-old girl initially survived the accident and was rushed to a hospital in the area. Tragically, she succumbed to the injuries she suffered at approximately 10:21 p.m. that same day. The 58-year-old driver of the other vehicle suffered moderate injuries, and his current condition was not reported.
Based upon reports concerning the preliminary evidence gathered, it appears the stepfather may have been responsible for the accident. Despite the family relationship, the law allows the estates of the deceased children to pursue wrongful death claims against the estate of the stepfather. If the stepfather’s negligence is established through appropriate evidence, damages often seen in head-on collisions may be awarded to each child’s estate by a Missouri civil court. The moderately injured driver may file a personal injury claim against the man’s estate as well.
Source: lakenewsonline.com, “Two children among three killed in Monday evening accident“, Oct. 20, 2015
