Washington Car Accident Attorney Encourages Employers to Adopt Distracted Driving Policies in 2012

As a new year starts, companies should take steps to ensure that their employees are not texting or talking on cell phones while driving on company time â€" or else they may face liability for accidents, says Dean Brett of Brett Murphy â€" Washington’s Injury Lawyers.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) December 30, 2011

Employers should start off the new year by reviewing or adopting policies that address distracted driving by their employees â€" especially texting or talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel â€" Washington car accident attorney Dean Brett said today.

Brett, whose Washington personal injury firm represents automobile accident victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, pointed to a recent National Transportation Safety Board report finding that 3,092 Americans were killed in 2010 in car crashes that involved the use of phones and other distractions.

“Under Washington law, an employer can be held liable for the wrongful acts of its employees if those acts occur within the scope of their employment,” Brett said. “So, that means a company could face serious consequences if one of its workers causes a car accident on company time due to distracted driving, such as talking on a cell phone at the time of the crash.

“As the new year starts, it would be a good time for employers to take a look at their distracted driving policy to make sure it specifically addresses the use of electronic devices, and if they don’t have such a policy, it would be wise to adopt one,” he said.

At a minimum, companies should require employees to comply with Washington law, according to Brett. Since 2008, the state has prohibited adult drivers from texting or using a hand-held cell phone while driving except for emergency situations and for on-duty public safety workers.

In 2010, the state upgraded violations of those laws from secondary to primary offenses. This means that drivers can be pulled over and ticketed for breaking those laws just as they could for speeding or running through a stop sign.

Brett said employers should go a step beyond Washington law. In his view, they should completely ban texting or talking on a cell phone â€" regardless of whether the electronic device is hand-held or hands-free.

He cited a 2009 study by the National Safety Council that found that hand-held and hands-free cell phones are equally dangerous for drivers, especially in terms of impairing reaction times. Brett also noted that the National Transportation Safety Board recently recommended that all 50 states enact complete cell phone bans for drivers.

“The bottom line is that the use of any electronic device takes one’s attention away from driving and creates the unacceptable risk of causing a collision with another car, motorcycle or pedestrian,” Brett said. “A policy which bans the use of all types of cell phones while driving protects not only a company’s employees from harm but other innocent people as well.”

Brett said that anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one in a motor vehicle collision caused by distracted driving should contact an experienced Washington car accident lawyer to discuss their legal rights and options.

“At our firm, we pursue all avenues in making sure accident victims and their families are fairly and fully compensated, and that includes taking action against employers if it is appropriate,” Brett said.

About Brett Murphy â€" Washington’s Injury Lawyers

Brett Murphy â€" Washington’s Injury Lawyers is a Washington personal injury law firm with offices in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellingham, Mt. Vernon and Vancouver, Washington. The firm represents car accident victims, including those injured in DUI/DWI accidents, and other personal injury victims throughout the state of Washington. The firm’s practice areas also include motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, construction accidents, railroad collisions and aviation crashes. For more information, call the firm at (800) 925-1875 or use its online contact form.

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Dean Brett
Brett Murphy â€" Washington’s Injury Lawyers
(800) 925-1875
Email Information

Toledo Car Accident Lawyer Says NTSB Call to Ban Drivers’ Cell Phones Should Alert Employers

Attorney Drew R. Masse of Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A., says employers should seize opportunity to update policies and training about using cell phones in cars.

Toledo, Ohio (PRWEB) December 29, 2011

Toledo car accident lawyer Drew R. Masse says employers should take heed of a federal agency’s call for a ban on cell phone use while driving and educate their employees about the dangers of texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving.

“If an employer has not already banned the use of cell phones and other electronic devices while employees are operating company cars, now is a good time to consider such a policy,” said Masse, an associate with the Toledo personal injury firm of Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A.

The firm represents car accident victims and their families throughout Northwestern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.

“Employers who cannot see their way to an outright ban on using electronic devices while operating vehicles on company time should review state laws and company policies with their employees,” Masse said. “Distracted driving is a real issue. Those who ignore its dangers will find themselves subject to criminal penalties and civil liability when collisions and injuries result.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended in December that all drivers be prohibited from using cell phones and other electronic devices behind the wheel. The recommendation to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration resulted from an investigation into a 2010 multi-vehicle crash in Missouri that was caused by a pickup truck driver who was distracted by a texting conversation. The wreck killed two and injured 38.

The NTSB said 3,092 Americans died in 2010 in motor vehicle crashes attributed to the use of phones and other distractions.

The increase in distracted driving accidents has resulted in state and local laws across the country restricting cell phone use. Both Ohio and Michigan ban text messaging while driving. Detroit prohibits the use of handheld phones while driving. Several Ohio cities, including Toledo and Columbus, have enacted local texting-while-driving ordinances.

“It is crucial for employers to recognize that they could be held liable and subject to a lawsuit if a driver who works for them causes a wreck that is linked to the driver’s use of a cell phone or another electronic device while in the course and scope of their employment,” Masse said.

The Ohio auto accident lawyer said anyone injured in a motor vehicle collision linked to distracted driving, or the loved ones of someone injured or killed, should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

“Individuals have rights that must be protected in the aftermath of car accidents that cause personal injury or wrongful death,” Masse said.

About Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A.

Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A. ,is a full service Toledo law firm that represents working men and women, individuals with disabilities and labor unions throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, including the communities of Toledo, Findlay, Bowling Green, Northwood, Oregon, Perrysburg, Sylvania, Lima, Defiance, Fremont, Sandusky and Waterville. In addition to a general practice, the firm assists clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, labor and bankruptcy cases. The firm’s personal injury areas include construction injuries, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip-and-falls, farming injuries, defective products, medical malpractice and nursing home injuries. For more information, call Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A. at (800) 352-1976 or use its online form.

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Janet Aguilar
Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A.
(800) 352-1976
Email Information

Personal Injury Law Firm Produces eBook About Surviving a Car Accident

Craig Swapp & Associates releases the “The Car Accident Survivor’s Guide” as a free public service to those involved in a vehicular accident.

Sandy, UT (PRWEB) December 29, 2011

To help people cope with the difficulties associated with being injured in an accident involving a car, truck, public transportation or as a pedestrian, Craig Swapp & Associates has published a comprehensive eBook about what to do when you’re involved in an accident. Entitled “The Car Accident Survivor’s Guide: What you should know before and after a serious car accident,” this informative eBook explains how to deal effectively with insurance companies, investigating agencies and injuries.

Says Attorney Craig Swapp, “Many people think that they’ll never be involved in a car wreck, but statistics show that one in twenty drivers will be involved in some type of accident this year alone. Even a simple fender-bender can cause frustrations with police, insurance adjustors or medical bills. As an experienced auto accident law firm, we’ve gathered our combined knowledge into this eBook to help people deal with their accident.”

Specifically, the eBook explains how much insurance coverage drivers should have to protect themselves â€" as well as family members or passengers â€" from liability issues or irresponsible drivers who drive without adequate insurance. “The eBook also outlines what you should do and not do at the accident scene,” says Swapp. “We discuss the importance of witnesses and accident scene photographs, as well as when you should seek medical care if you’re injured.”

Many people have questions about the property damage caused to their own vehicles. For this reason, “The Car Accident Survivor’s Guide” has an extensive section on property damage issues â€" such as receiving fair market value for a totaled car or having your car repaired correctly. It also discusses how insurance adjustors try to trick innocent victims into admitting fault or accepting some liability in an attempt to delay or deny a valid claim. “We also cover the issue of the long-term cost of those suffering from severe injuries, which could include disfigurement, follow-up surgeries, or permanent disabilities,” adds Attorney Swapp. “If you need a Salt Lake City, Spokane or Boise Attorney to help answer any question about your accident, please contact us for a free consultation.”

“The Car Accident Survivor’s Guide” can be downloaded by visiting the Firm’s website.

Craig Swapp & Associate is a personal injury attorney law firm based in Utah, Washington and Idaho. It handles vehicular accidents, dog bites, product liability and wrongful death cases. For more information, please visit our website, or call 1-800-404-9000.

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Oak Norton
Craig, Swapp & Associates
801-990-1919
Email Information

DA: No charges in fatal Burlington accident

BURLINGTON -- The Middlesex District Attorney's Office is not pursuing criminal charges against any of those involved in a two-car accident that claimed one life Saturday near Winn and Center streets.

Jessica Pastore, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Gerard Leone, said the case did not appear to be criminal in the nature. Because Leone's office is not conducting a criminal investigation on the case, it will not release the identity of the victim out of respect for the family, Pastore said.

Pastore said the deceased was one of the two drivers involved. Burlington police have released few details about the accident, which happened at about 2 p.m.

Officer Avoids Serious Accident By Turning Car Wheel

Lincoln police say an officer prevented a serious accident when he grabbed a car's steering wheel as it rolled toward pedestrians during a traffic stop.

The officer approached a car without headlights and two wheels on the curb early Saturday morning. Police say driver didn't put the car
in park and it began to roll forward. The officer reached inside
the car to turn the wheel, at one point running alongside the car
before falling as the driver sped away.

The driver, 29-year-old Antonio Williams, of Lincoln, was
arrested later. Two bags of cocaine were found in the car.

Williams is facing numerous charges related to the incident.

The case is not yet entered in online court records and no
attorney information was available.

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What Car Insurance Do I Need?

Posted by Lindsay RakersDecember 27, 2011 1:09 PM

As a St. Louis Missouri injury attorney I hear a lot of clients tell me that they're confused about their options when purchasing automobile insurance. Unfortunately, we often discover that a client is underprotected after they've been in a in a car accident. There are several different options available to you when purchasing an automobile insurance. It's a good idea to know what these options are so that if you are indeed involved in an automobile accident - whether it's your fault or someone else's fault - you know that you'll be protected.

Although there are subtle differences Missouri and Illinois have similar laws when it comes to car insurance. In both states, there are two types of mandatory insurance coverage. All motorists in Missouri and Illinois are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage. This means that the insurance company must provide uninsured motorist coverage to every person who purchases insurance. In Illinois, every motorist must carry $20,000 in uninsured motorist coverage. In Missouri, each motorist must carry a minimum of $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage.

Another type of mandatory insurance and both Missouri and in Illinois is liability insurance coverage. Again, every person who drives a car and purchases insurance in Missouri and in Illinois, must carry liability coverage. Liability coverage will pay for the damages you cause when you are at fault in the car accident.

There are also two types of elective insurance coverage in both Missouri and Illinois that will protect you in the event that you are in a car accident and especially if you suffered damage to your car and or personal injury as a result of that car crash. The first type of such insurance is called medical payments coverage or "med pay" coverage. Med pay coverage will provide you with bonds to pay your medical bills if you are in a car accident and suffer injury. It will also pay for the injuries and resulting medical bills incurred by passengers writing in your vehicle at the time of the car crash. Medical payments coverage may not pay all of your bills as it is limited to a certain amount that you choose at the time of securing your car insurance policy.

Another type of elective insurance coverage is underinsured motorist coverage. Again, while all individuals who drive a car on our roadways are required to carry liability coverage to pay for the damages they cost to someone else, not everyone follows the rule and not everyone secures car insurance coverage before driving. This is where uninsured motorist coverage will protect you as such coverage will provide you with the minimum limits, whether that be $20,000 or $25,000, in the event that you are injured by someone he wasn't carrying car insurance at the time of the car crash. But there are also situations where the person who struck you may have been carrying car insurance, but simply was not carrying enough car insurance. This is where underinsured motorist coverage can come in handy. Such coverage will protect you in the event that you're in a car accident and the person who struck you was not carrying enough insurance at the time of the car accident. For example, let's say you are injured in a car accident and your medical bills total $30,000. But, the person you was at fault in the accident was only carrying the minimum $25,000 in coverage. If you had UIM coverage at the time of the crash, you will be protected up to that amount if the person who struck you has a policy that simply is not in an amount high enough to pay for the damage your car and your medical bills.

Lindsay Rakers, Missouri Injury Attorney

Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer: Start New Year by Reviewing Crash Coverage

Personal injury attorney Bruce Millar of Atlanta’s Millar & Mixon, LLC, says Georgia drivers should make a review of their UM / UIM coverage a priority in 2012.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) December 27, 2011

All Georgia motorists should take a few moments as 2011 ends and 2012 begins to make sure they have the right kind of car insurance to protect them during the coming year, Atlanta car accident lawyer Bruce Millar said today.

“Lots of people make unrealistic resolutions this time of year, but here’s one that’s easy to keep: Review your car insurance policy and consider increasing your coverage to ensure that you and your loved ones would have access to sufficient benefits if an unthinkable car accident should happen,” Millar said.

Millar practices with the Atlanta personal injury firm of Millar & Mixon, LLC, where he represents victims of Georgia motor vehicle collisions in matters that include insurance settlements.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM / UIM) is a particularly crucial yet often misunderstood part of one’s automobile insurance policy, the Atlanta personal injury lawyer said. A UM/UIM policy will provide compensation for the damages a person suffers in a car crash even if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough.

This type of coverage is even more valuable since Georgia amended its laws in 2008 to allow injured motorists to purchase “add-on” or “stackable” UM / UIM coverage on top of the at-fault driver’s liability limits, Millar said. The cost of add-on UM / UIM coverage is usually only a few dollars more than the “traditional” (non-stackable) under-insurance coverage, and is well worth the small additional cost.

For example, suppose a person suffers $140,000 in damages in an Atlanta car accident, and the at-fault driver carries only $50,000 in liability coverage. If the person had purchased a stackable or add-on UM / UIM policy with $100,000 limits, they would be able to recover $50,000 from the at-fault driver plus another $90,000 from their own insurance provider for a total of $140,000.

However, it is still possible to reject “add-on” UM / UIM coverage on a Georgia car insurance policy â€" something Millar strongly cautioned against.

For instance, if the person in the above scenario had rejected the add-on coverage, they would be limited to a $50,000 recovery under their UM / UIM policy plus $50,000 from the at-fault driver â€" $40,000 less than their total damages. A person who had rejected UM/UIM coverage altogether would recover only the $50,000 from the other motorist.

“I have seen too many unfortunate cases where a seriously injured motorist is barred from making a full financial recovery simply because there isn’t enough insurance available,” Millar said. “Stackable, also known as ‘add-on‘ UM / UIM coverage, is very inexpensive, meaning you can avoid being seriously underinsured for just a few dollars a year in most cases.”

In addition to making sure to carry stackable UM / UIM coverage, the start of the new year is also a good time to reconsider the limits of liability coverage, Millar said.

Georgia law requires minimum liability limits of only $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, plus $25,000 in property damage coverage â€" amounts that are woefully inadequate in all but very minor car wrecks, according to the attorney.

“In order to avoid becoming an underinsured motorist yourself, it would be wise to consider increasing your liability coverage to at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident,” Millar said.

Because car insurance law can be very complex, Millar suggested discussing one’s policy with a qualified Atlanta car accident attorney to ensure that one is properly insured as they take to the road in 2012.

He also emphasized how important it is to consult with a Georgia personal injury lawyer if one has the misfortune of suffering a car accident. An experienced UM / UIM coverage attorney can also help an accident victim get the benefits they deserve if their insurance company is reluctant to make good on an uninsured motorist coverage claim.

About Millar & Mixon, LLC

The Atlanta personal injury law firm of Millar & Mixon, LLC, based in Atlanta, GA, focuses on representing persons injured in car, truck, motorcycle, bus and other motor vehicle accidents. The firm also represents persons hurt by drunk / DUI drivers cases, and handles slip and fall injuries and animal attacks and bites, among other personal injury claims. Since 1993 Atlanta attorney Bruce Millar has obtained judgments and settlements exceeding $60 million for his clients.

The firm represents Georgia accident and injury clients throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area and the state of Georgia, including North Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Forest Park, College Park, Decatur, Roswell, Marietta, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Jonesboro, East-Point, Conyers, Lawrenceville, Fayetteville, Riverdale and other communities all across the State. For more information, call (877) 475-7015 or contact the firm through its online form.

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Bruce Millar
Millar & Mixon, LLC
(770) 477-6360
Email Information

Houston Vehicle Accident Attorney Supports Full Ban on Cell Phone Use by Drivers

Brad T. Wyly of the Wyly Law Firm, P.C., says proposed ban’s inclusion of commercial truck drivers along with private vehicle drivers is more likely to promote safety.

Houston, Texas (PRWEB) December 26, 2011

Brad T. Wyly, a Houston vehicle accident attorney, today applauded a federal recommendation for a ban on cell phone use by all drivers of personal and commercial vehicles.

“We’re glad to see that the NTSB makes no exceptions in its desire to see that drivers being distracted by cell phones becomes a thing of the past,” said Wyly, owner of the Wyly Law Firm, P.C., a Houston personal injury firm that focuses on lawsuits involving car accidents and truck accidents.

“Distracted driving is not just limited to drivers of large commercial trucks. Drivers of personal vehicles are often distracted by cell phones whether by talking on them, texting, or otherwise. We think the suggested ban is consistent with this reality and only a total ban on cell phone use by all drivers will truly protect the public.” Wyly said.

Wyly spoke in reaction to the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendation that all drivers be prohibited from using cell phones and other electronic devices behind the wheel.

The NTSB’s recommendation to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was among several in the conclusion of a study of a 2010 multi-vehicle crash in Missouri that was caused, according to the NTSB, by a pickup truck driver who was distracted by a text-messaging conversation. The wreck killed two and injured 38.

The NTSB said 3,092 Americans died last year in motor vehicle crashes attributed to the use of phones and other distractions.

“When a 40-ton tractor-trailer moving at high speed is involved, the dangers of distracted driving increase exponentially,” Wyly said. “But the statistics show there are also serious dangers associated with cell phone use by drivers of personal vehicles. That’s why we support the NTSB’s call for a nationwide ban on the use of portable electronic devices for all drivers.”

The NTSB recommendation does not include banning equipment designed to aid drivers, like GPS units.

Texas already prohibits teen-age drivers from using cell phones and text messaging devices, and the state bans the use of handheld cell phones by older drivers in school crossing zones. Gov. Rick Perry vetoed a bill earlier this year that would have banned text messaging by all drivers.

Wyly’s personal injury firm has investigated auto and trucking accidents in Houston, Galveston, Beaumont and Harris County as part of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits prosecuted on behalf of the victims of wrecks involving commercial trucks and other vehicles.

The Houston truck accident attorney said he and his firm will fight to see that individuals injured in wrecks caused by negligent and reckless drivers, such as truck drivers who distract themselves, get the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering.

“Trucking companies and their insurance companies can easily take advantage of unsuspecting accident victims after a collision with a commercial truck,” Wyly said.

“That’s why anyone harmed in an accident caused by a distracted truck driver should contact an experienced Houston accident attorney as soon as possible in order to obtain just compensation for their losses.”

About Wyly Law Firm, P.C.

The Wyly Law Firm, P.C., is a Houston law firm that represents personal injury victims, including those injured in car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian accidents, throughout Houston and surrounding communities, including Harris County, Baytown, Pasadena, Galveston, Beaumont, Bellaire, Cloverleaf, Spring Valley, Missouri City, Aldine and Jersey City. The firm also handles first party insurance cases and business law issues and disputes.

Attorney Brad T. Wyly, the firm’s owner, is a skilled negotiator and lawyer. Wyly has extensive experience in personal injury cases, including claims involving complex accidents, catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths. He has been named a Rising Star in Law & Politics magazine. To contact Wyly Law Firm, P.C., call (713) 574-7034 or use the firm’s online form.

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Brad T. Wyly
Wyly Law Firm, P.C.
(713) 574-7034
Email Information

Pelham officer makes strides after car accident

PELHAM MANOR â€" The village police officer who was badly injured last month when he was struck by a car while assisting in a traffic stop has made significant progress in his recovery.

Police Chief Al Mosiello said Officer Michael Tillistrand is talking, walking and even cracking a few jokes.

“He seemed very upbeat,” Mosiello said in recounting a recent visit to see Tillistrand at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw. “He kept telling me he can’t wait to get back to work.”

Tillistrand, 28, was helping a fellow officer issue a ticket on Boston Post Road early in the evening of Nov. 15 when he was hit by a car. He suffered severe injuries to his head and spent weeks in the intensive care unit at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. At one point, doctors drilled a hole into his skull to relieve pressure on his brain.

The driver of the car that hit Tillistrand, Jill Ruggiero, 27, is the daughter of the village’s fire chief. Westchester County police are still investigating the crash and have not filed any charges.

Westchester County district attorney spokesman Lucian Chalfen said it was not unusual for an investigation like this to last more than a month. He said the fact that Ruggiero’s father is the fire chief has had no impact on the investigation.

Still, the Committee on Public Integrity, based in Washington and New York City, has asked that a special prosecutor be appointed to oversee the investigation. Chalfen would not directly comment on the group’s request, saying only, “We’re investigating the incident.”

Tillistrand, who lives in Yorktown, joined the Pelham Manor Police Department in July. He spent several years with the New York City Police Department and is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

Mosiello said he was able to eat and walk with “a little assistance.”

In conversation, Mosiello said, Tillistrand “was being himself. He joked a few times.”

“He still has a long way to go,” Mosiello said. “As long as he continues to make progress, I’m hopeful he can make a full recovery and come back to work.”

Attorney apologizes to star hockey player

STAMFORD -- A Westport attorney has apologized to New York Islander star winger Matt Moulson for calling him "stupid" and "clueless" in a New York Post article about an insurance claim arising from a car accident in Stamford's West Side last year.

Mark Arons, a Westport attorney who told several media outlets in September he had commenced a civil lawsuit against Moulson, issued a written apology and made a private contribution to charity in addition to settling the insurance claims. In exchange, Moulson signed a release on Dec. 8 and agreed not to sue Arons for defamation.

Arons, who gave the lawsuit to marshals but never filed it, did not return a message left at his Westport law firm Thursday.

"Having confirmed your active charity work in several communities, I deeply regret and apologize for any harm or embarrassment caused by my remarks to the media," Arons wrote in his apology last month. "[...] I am glad to have resolved this matter amicably, as gentlemen."

Moulson's attorney, Stephan Seeger, said Arons exposed himself to a defamation lawsuit when he called Moulson "cheap" and "clueless" in a New York Post article in which he derided the professional hockey player for having only $25,000 in liability insurance despite his multi-million dollar contract.

Earlier this year Moulson signed a $9.4 million, three-year contract extension with the Islanders, according to ESPN.com.

Aron's client, Lisa Caiati, 40, of Danbury, wanted more than the $25,000 Moulson's insurance company would pay out to cover her medical problems -- herniated discs and a lumbar strain -- from a car accident on June 18, 2010, in which Moulson struck the front of her car while turning left into oncoming traffic, Arons said in September.

Caiati turned down the money and pursued legal action against Moulson, but settled the insurance claim out of court for the original $25,000 several weeks ago, Seeger said.

"This is a good example of what celebrities should do when they are faced with these types of situations," Seeger said. "They have the same rights as others."

Seeger said Arons' comments defamed Moulson, who is active with local charities and foundations. The Islanders winger, who leads the team this season with 16 goals as of Friday, played in a charity scrimmage this summer organized by Darien native and Tampa Bay Lightening forward Ryan Shannon, who has raised more than $2 million for spinal cord injury research.

Seeger said instead of pursing legal action, Moulson chose to have Arons apologize and make a contribution to charity, which was kept private as part of their agreement.

Moulson was found at fault for the June 2010 accident. A Stamford police officer determined Moulson was driving east on Selleck Street before making a left-hand turn onto Harvard Avenue and smashing into the front of Caiati's 2000 Suburu Legacy.

The officer gave Moulson a verbal warning for failing to grant right of way to Caiati. Moulson told police the car in front of him blocked his view of oncoming traffic, according to the police report.

-- Staff Writer Jeff Morganteen can be reached at jeff.morganteen@scni.com or 203-964-2215.

Binghamton Car Accident Attorney Urges New York Motorists to Use Caution with Holiday Travel

With AAA predicting around 84 million Americans to hit the road this holiday, the law firm of Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, says steps need to be taken to avoid auto accidents.

Binghamton, NY (PRWEB) December 23, 2011

New York motorists should exercise extra caution on the roads now that winter is officially underway and, according to a recent USA Today report, millions of drivers will be on the roads for the holidays, Binghamton car accident attorney Scott C. Gottlieb said today.

“Millions of families will be traveling to see loved ones over the holidays,” said Gottlieb, whose Binghamton personal injury firm, Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, regularly handles auto accident and wrongful death lawsuits. “The extra traffic congestion can make roads even more hazardous, particularly in inclement winter weather.”

Around 84 million people are expected to hit the roads for the holidays this year, according to a USA Today report that cited forecasts from the AAA travel organization.

“Drivers who are caught up in the rush to get last-minute presents or to attend holiday events are more likely to get distracted behind the wheel, which can be deadly in winter weather,” said Gottlieb. “Icy and snowy road conditions demand extra attention, not the opposite.”

Alcohol is a big contributing factor in holiday accidents, Gottlieb added. Last year, 415 people died in alcohol-related crashes during the second half of December alone, according to the National Highway Transportation Administration.

“The flood of holiday parties and time off work means that people have more time to socialize, and that can include drinking,” Gottlieb said. “Designating a driver is a simple way to prevent catastrophic accidents at any time of year, and it is especially critical in freezing and slippery conditions.”

The Binghamton personal injury attorney added that even the most experienced driver is vulnerable to harm while driving in winter weather.

“All of the driving experience in the world cannot protect you if the motorist in the car beside you chooses to drive recklessly,” he said. “However, if an accident does happen and you are injured, New York law can protect you.”    

People who are injured in winter weather wrecks in Binghamton can benefit from speaking to a personal injury attorney about the case, according to Gottlieb.

“An experienced car accident attorney can advise injured victims and their loved ones about their rights and about what types of compensation are available to them,” he said.

In addition, Gottlieb recommends that motorists follow the winter driving safety tips from the NHTSA:

About Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney

Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney handles all types of personal injury and motor vehicle accident cases, including cases involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and boats. The firm also represents clients in actions for wrongful death, cancer misdiagnosis, dog bites, hunting accidents, birth injuries, brain injuries, construction accidents, fall down injuries and insurance settlements. The firm regularly employs accident reconstruction experts, investigators, photographers and economists to assist in evaluating and preparing personal injury cases. In 2008, the firm reached the $100-million mark in combined lifetime verdicts and settlements. The firm features offices in Binghamton, Elmira, Rochester, Syracuse and Watertown. For more information, call (800) TALK-LAW or use the firm’s online contact form.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING

# # #

Scott C. Gottlieb
Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney
(800) 825-5529
Email Information

Attorney Tim Semelroth updates his already successful Iowa Car Accident Guide

Updated guide is must have information for anyone who drives in the state of Iowa. Too often car accident victims make mistakes early on that prevent them from getting a fair settlement.

Cedar Rapids, IA (PRWEB) December 20, 2011

To further assist car accident victims, Iowa Car Accident Attorney Tim Semelroth, revamped his already successful “Legal Insider’s Guide to Iowa Car Accident Claims.” The reason Tim did this is because his firm got tired of getting phone calls from seriously injured people who unknowingly made mistakes early on that cannot be fixed. The solution is to make sure people are educated before they start talking to insurance corporations.

The free guide is 36 pages long and includes practical information you can use to protect yourself after a car accident. The guide also explains the tactics insurance companies use to exploit car accident victims.

Inside the guide you will learn:

Why you are obligated to provide proof and details of an accident even if it’s blatantly obvious the accident was not your fault.

Why the other drivers insurance does not have to immediately start paying your medical bills

Whether or not an Iowa Car Accident Attorney is actually needed

How insurance reps use your own statements and medical history against you

Why the rep at your own insurance company isn’t your friend and on your side

The guide is must have information for anyone in a serious car wreck, and is a good read for anyone who drives a car in Iowa. The guide can be sent out in the mail or electronically simply by visiting http://IowaCarAccidentFacts.com and entering ones information.

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Tim Semelroth
Iowa Car Accident Attorney
319-365-9200
Email Information

21-year-old Wareham man killed in Plymouth car accident

A 21-year-old Wareham man died Sunday night in a car accident in Plymouth.

The single-vehicle accident occurred on a dirt road off Wareham Road, killing Robert Levine, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said in a media release.

Levine was taken to Tobey Hospital in Wareham, where he was was pronounced dead at about 11:20 p.m.

There will be an autopsy to determine the cause of Levine’s death.

The case remains under investigation by Plymouth police and State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office.

Toledo Car Accident Lawyer Calls for Ignition Interlocks in Vehicles of All DUI Offenders

Attorney Kevin J. Boissoneault of Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A., urges Ohio legislators to follow recommendations for state in MADD’s ‘Report to the Nation.’

Toledo, Ohio (PRWEB) December 19, 2011

Toledo car accident attorney Kevin J. Boissoneault called upon Ohio legislators to follow a suggestion made by MADD in its recently released “Report to the Nation” calling for ignition interlock devices to be required for all DUI offenders â€" even first-time offenders.

“Moving forward with MADD’s recommendation to require ignition interlocks in motor vehicles of every DUI offender is a proper step for the safety of all Ohio residents,” said Boissoneault, a partner with the Toledo personal injury firm of Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A.

“Ignition interlocks are proven devices for keeping impaired drivers off of the road, and anyone who has been convicted of drunk driving has demonstrated that they are a potential hazard to other drivers, as well as to themselves,” Boissoneault said.

MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, rated each state on its work against drunk driving in its recent “Report to the Nation,” which was released in connection with the fifth anniversary of the advocacy group’s “Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.”

MADD gave Ohio three out of five stars and urged the state to modify its interlock law to include first-time DUI offenders. The current law requires repeat offenders to install the devices, which is similar to a Breathalyzer. The vehicle cannot be operated unless the driver blows into the device and registers no alcohol in their blood.

“Driving is a privilege, not a right,” Boissoneault said. “It is perfectly reasonable to put restrictions on those who have abused that privilege, as anyone convicted of a DUI has done. We support any measure to combat drunk driving and promote highway safety by stopping those drivers who would recklessly endanger others.”

The Toledo personal injury law firm of Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co. has assisted thousands of Northwestern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan residents who have suffered personal injury or a wrongful death of a family member in car wrecks involving reckless drivers.

Boissoneault said compensation from personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits are sometimes the only means for car accident victims to adequately protect their rights and move on with their lives.

“We are committed to alleviating the suffering of individuals injured in car wrecks attributed to drunk driving and other forms of recklessness,” the Toledo attorney said. “In addition to physical and mental pain, an automobile wreck can result in expenses for medical bills, damage to the vehicle and time lost from a job, and a driver who causes these problems must be held accountable.”

About Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A.

Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A. is a full service Toledo law firm that represents working men and women, individuals with disabilities and labor unions throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, including the communities of Toledo, Findlay, Bowling Green, Northwood, Oregon, Perrysburg, Sylvania, Lima, Defiance, Fremont, Sandusky and Waterville. In addition to a general practice, the firm assists clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, labor and bankruptcy cases. The firm’s personal injury areas include construction injuries, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip-and-falls, farming injuries, defective products, medical malpractice and nursing home injuries. For more information, call Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A. at (800) 352-1976 or use its online form.

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Janet Aguilar
Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault & Schaffer Co., L.P.A.
(800) 352-1976
Email Information

No charges yet in Wichita State baseball players' crash

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is waiting on the results of a blood test before proceeding with the case involving a one-car accident that injured two Wichita State baseball players in November.

Zach Beringer had back surgery to repair and stabilize several vertebrae on Nov. 21. Tobin Mateychick suffered a concussion, scrapes and bruises. Both are out of the hospital.

Trooper Clayton Fredrickson, who investigated the accident, said Kay County Troop K is waiting on results from Beringer's blood test before forwarding a warrant request affidavit to the Kay County district attorney. He said the test may not be finished until mid-January.

"Once I get the blood results back, I will send everything," Fredrickson said.

Fredrickson said he observed alcohol at the scene, including odors and one open beer can in the debris. He said he talked to Beringer and Mateychick at the scene and in the hospital and considered both to be under the influence of alcohol.

"It was plainly obvious," he said.

The accident happened around 11 p.m. on Nov. 18 in Kay County in northern Oklahoma. Beringer, Mateychick and two teammates planned to hunt ducks near Braman, Okla.

According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, a 1997 Blue Toyota four-wheel drive driven by Beringer traveled at a high rate of speed on a gravel road. Beringer lost control and ran off the road. The car rolled three-and-a-half times before coming to rest on the drivers side. Beringer was ejected 27 feet. The accident threw Mateychick 43 feet, the report said. Neither wore a seat belt, according to the report.

Both players are pitchers. Beringer is a sophomore from Harrisburg, Mo. Mateychick is a sophomore from Enid, Okla. He is recovering from elbow surgery that cut short his 2011 season.

Wichita State officials declined to comment.

North Carolina Car Accident Attorney Offers Book to Help Wreck Victims Avoid Mistakes

Taking the wrong steps after an auto collision can end up costing victims their right to be fully compensated for their injuries and losses, says Ken Hardison of Raleigh’s Hardison & Cochran, Attorneys at Law

Raleigh, N.C. (PRWEB) December 16, 2011

Ken Hardison knows how easy it is for people to make mistakes after a car wreck that end up costing them compensation for their injuries and losses. That’s why the North Carolina car accident attorney is now offering a book to help victims avoid those mistakes.

“Immediately after an accident, shock and confusion can make anyone forget to use their common sense,” said Hardison, the founder of the North Carolina personal injury law firm, Hardison & Cochran, Attorneys at Law.

“But there are certain steps you absolutely must take, beginning the instant after the accident. If you miss that opportunity, you will never have a chance to completely correct your mistake.”

The book, “Seven Fatal Mistakes Victims of Accidents Make in North Carolina,” can be requested online at the firm’s website. It is available for free to North Carolina residents. The firm will mail out the book within 48 hours of the order.

Since he began practicing law in 1982, Hardison has represented thousands of accident and injury clients throughout North Carolina and compiled a record of securing substantial awards in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.

The 54-page book reflects the lessons he has learned from his experience as a North Carolina auto accident attorney, Hardison said. It is written in plain language, with legal concepts broken down into easy-to-understand terms.

“Our law firm wanted this book to serve as a practical guide,” he said. “Although it primarily covers North Carolina auto collisions, many of the same principles can be applied to other types of accidents and injuries, such as those involving slip-and-falls, defective products, work accidents or dog bites.”

In the book, Hardison warns accident victims to avoid:

1. Not taking immediate action after the accident.

2. Not documenting everything.

3. Not seeing your doctor.

4. Doing anything with an insurance company without first getting legal advice.

5. Not hiring a lawyer or hiring the wrong lawyer.

6. Not being honest with your lawyer.

7. Exaggerating your injuries.

A theme throughout the book is that accident victims need to deal carefully with insurance companies, whether it’s the victim’s own insurer or the company representing the at-fault party.

“The reality is that insurance companies will try to get you to minimize the nature and extent of your injury, get you to accept full or partial responsibility for the accident when it really wasn’t your fault or tell you how difficult it would be for you to win your case in court,” Hardison said. “This book can help you identify some of these tricks and show you how to stay clear of them.

“But I don’t think North Carolina car accident victims should rely on this book alone or try to go it alone,” he added. “It’s important to seek the advice and representation of an experienced attorney who will fight hard to make sure that you and your family receive the compensation you need and deserve.”

About Hardison & Cochran, Attorneys at Law

Hardison & Cochran, Attorneys at Law, is a highly respected North Carolina personal injury, workers’ compensation and Social Security disability law firm with offices in Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville, Dunn, New Bern, Southern Pines and Wilmington. The firm’s practice areas include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, boating accidents, dog bites, dangerous drugs, defective medical devices, nursing home abuse and negligence and traffic violations. For more information, call the firm toll-free at (800) 434-8399 or use the firm’s online contact form.

###

William S. Campbell
Hardison & Cochran, Attorneys at Law
(800) 738-0449
Email Information

No charges yet in WSU players' crash

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is waiting on the results of a blood test before proceeding with the case involving a one-car accident that injured two Wichita State baseball players in November.

Zach Beringer had back surgery to repair and stabilize several vertebrae on Nov. 21. Tobin Mateychick suffered a concussion, scrapes and bruises. Both are out of the hospital.

Trooper Clayton Fredrickson, who investigated the accident, said Kay County Troop K is waiting on results from Beringer's blood test before forwarding a warrant request affidavit to the Kay County district attorney. He said the test may not be finished until mid-January.

"Once I get the blood results back, I will send everything," Fredrickson said.

Fredrickson said he observed alcohol at the scene, including odors and one open beer can in the debris. He said he talked to Beringer and Mateychick at the scene and in the hospital and considered both to be under the influence of alcohol.

"It was plainly obvious," he said.

The accident happened around 11 p.m. on Nov. 18 in Kay County in northern Oklahoma. Beringer, Mateychick and two teammates planned to hunt ducks near Braman, Okla.

According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, a 1997 Blue Toyota four-wheel drive driven by Beringer traveled at a high rate of speed on a gravel road. Beringer lost control and ran off the road. The car rolled three-and-a-half times before coming to rest on the drivers side. Beringer was ejected 27 feet. The accident threw Mateychick 43 feet, the report said. Neither wore a seat belt, according to the report.

Both players are pitchers. Beringer is a sophomore from Harrisburg, Mo. Mateychick is a sophomore from Enid, Okla. He is recovering from elbow surgery that cut short his 2011 season.

Wichita State officials declined to comment.

Two man charged for "ambulance chasing"

Two men connected to a local law office face criminal charges for soliciting clients shortly after their involvement in car accidents, and several of the former clients have filed civil lawsuits against the practicing attorney, court documents show.

Brownsville residents Miguel Angel Contreras, 29, and Rene Gabriel Hinojosa, 37, are charged with barratry, or what is sometimes slangily referred to as “ambulence chasing.” Hinojosa faces additional charges of falsely representing himself as a lawyer.

Texas law prohibits lawyers, and their employees, from seeking out people who may need legal representation after a particular incident, such as a car accident or workplace injury.

The men solicited business from five different people after they were involved in car accidents in which they suffered injuries, several criminal complaints allege.

Contreras and Hinojosa worked for a law practice at 302 Kings Highway, Suite 203, the complaints state. Civil lawsuits filed Thursday allege San Antonio-based attorney Raul Perales operates the law practice. Perales is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, along with Hinojosa.

Late in August, Contreras approached several people involved in a car accident shortly after it occurred, the complaint says. He convinced them to follow him to the office on Kings Highway and sign contracts with Hinojosa to pursue personal injury actions.

Hinojosa is not authorized as a licensed attorney, according to the Texas state bar association database.

Court documents show the men also solicited business from two people involved in a car accident in October.

Brownsville police spokesman J.J. Treviño said Hinojosa identified himself to the clients as a lawyer.

“Mr. Contreras would actively look for accident victims and refer them to Mr. Hinojosa,” Treviño said.

Investigators have so far seized $114,000 from the men, Treviño said. They would draw up contracts for the clients, and take 33 percent of the settlement awarded.

In two separate civil lawsuits filed Thursday in the 444th state District Court, four former clients of Hinojosa claim his conduct after the accident caused them “great anxiety, suffering, inconvenience and emotional pain.”

Although the lawsuits name Perales as a defendant, Treviño said it is still unclear what role, if any, the San Antonio lawyer played in the operation. He currently faces no criminal charges.

The civil lawsuit alleges Perales is responsible for the actions of Hinojosa because he worked for Perales out of his Brownsville satellite office.

The lawsuits, submitted by attorney David Willis, say Hinojosa promised them a settlement and payment for medical treatment if the victims of the accident would come to the law office and sign representation agreements.

The two lawsuits each name two plaintiffs: Amanda Wright and Robert Roiz of Brownsville and Maria Lopez and Pedro Petino of San Benito.

The accident victims were injured, and fearful because they did not have insurance, the lawsuit states.

An employee at the law office on Kings Highway said no one in the office would comment before hanging up the phone. Perales did not return several messages left at his San Antonio office.

Perales was licensed to practice law in Texas in 1999, after receiving a law degree from Texas Southern University in 1998, according to the Texas state bar association database. He has never been sanctioned by the Texas state bar.

Police arrested Contreras and Hinojosa Wednesday. Contreras is charged with three counts of barratry and Hinojosa with six counts of barratry and six counts of falsely holding oneself as a lawyer.

Both were released on a $2,000 bond, jail records show.

Enacted to protect vulnerable accident victims, the state's barratry law regarding civil action lawsuits is relatively new, effective Sept. 1. Attorneys can now face civil action as well as criminal action for soliciting business at an accident scene.

The law also states lawyers cannot employ someone to do so in their place.

Brownsville personal injury lawyer Alexander Begum, who is not associated with this case, said his office uses a big marketing campaign, utilizing billboards and television ads, to generate business.

“That’s the way most attorneys function, through advertising and referrals,” he said. “No one should be knocking on people’s doors.”

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Supports NTSB’s Call To Ban Cell Phones, Mobile Devices

If adopted by states, the NTSB’s recommendation to prohibit drivers from using cell phones and other mobile devices would save lives, says Philip DeBerard, III, of the South Florida law firm, Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney.

Stuart, FL (PRWEB) December 15, 2011

Florida car accident attorney Philip DeBerard, III, joined the National Transportation Safety Board’s call this week to adopt a nationwide ban on drivers using cell phones and other mobile devices while behind the wheel.

“If motorists in Florida and elsewhere refuse to put away their phones voluntarily, then we need laws that will force them to do so,” said DeBerard, founder of the Florida personal injury firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney. The firm represents car accident victims and the families of those who have lost loved ones in auto collisions throughout South Florida.

DeBerard has strongly supported prohibitions against talking on cell phones or texting while driving. His law firm recently launched a Facebook page, “Hang Up and Drive,” to spread awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.

“But a ban doesn’t go far enough,” DeBerard said. “We need to make sure that these laws are strictly enforced in order to make sure that no more accidents, injuries and deaths are caused by this inexcusable, reckless form of driving.”

DeBerard was reacting to the NTSB recommendation issued earlier this week in a report on its investigation of an August 2010 accident in Missouri that killed two people and injured 38 others.

The NTSB found that the 19-year-old driver of a pickup truck that initiated the fatal chain-collision pileup had sent 11 texts in the 11 minutes immediately before the crash. In its report, the NTSB concluded that the driver’s distraction, “likely due to his text messaging conversation” resulted in his failure to notice and react to a tractor-truck that had been slowing down in a work zone. Two school buses were subsequently drawn into the pileup.

According to a Miami Herald article, an NTSB board member said that even though Missouri had a law banning drivers under age 21 from texting while driving at the time of the crash, it was not aggressively enforced.

As a result of its investigation, the NTSB called on all 50 states and the District of Columbia to:

DeBerard pointed out that Florida is one of the few states in the country to have no restrictions at all on texting messaging and talking on cell phones while driving. Several proposed legislative measures have gone down in defeat in recent years.

“The NTSB has no power to impose restrictions, but hopefully, the message that it has sent this week will carry a heavy with our state’s lawmakers,” DeBerard said. “We need change now.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 4,000 traffic fatalities were caused, in part, by distracted driving last year, including cell phone use. A study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that a driver who is texting is 23 times more likely to have an accident than a motorist who is focused on the road.

Even without a law banning talking on a cell phone or texting while driving, DeBerard said that such conduct can be used to establish negligence in a South Florida auto accident lawsuit. Due to the prevalence of distracted driving, he said that one of the first steps in any investigation of a collision is to check the at-fault driver’s phone records.

He encouraged anyone who has been injured by a distracted driver to talk to an experienced Florida car accident attorney to ensure full and fair compensation for their losses and injuries.

“Distracted driving can never be tolerated,” DeBerard said. “When use a cell phone behind the wheel, you’re not multi-tasking. You’re putting your life and the lives of everyone else on the road in danger.”

About Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney

The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, has provided professional and compassionate legal assistance to personal injury and accident victims in South Florida on the Treasure Coast since 1975. The firm’s practice areas include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, dog bite injuries, slip and fall injuries, swimming pool accidents and wrongful death claims. The firm represents clients throughout the South Florida communities of Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Vero Beach and across the state of Florida. For more information, call (800) 299-8878 or use the firm’s online contact form.

# # #

Beth Anderson
Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney
(800) 299-8878
Email Information

Report: Windsor police undermined civilian watchdog

WINDSOR, Ont. -- Windsor police failed to notify the province’s civilian watchdog agency about a car accident involving a police cruiser that resulted in a serious injury, chief Gary Smith acknowledged Wednesday.

The Windsor Police Service was one of several services in the province mentioned in a scathing report released Wednesday by Ontario’s ombudsman Andre Marin.

Titled Oversight Undermined, the 63-page report found that new legislation is urgently needed to protect the role of the Special Investigations Unit from being “deliberately undermined” by the provincial government.

Since launching the review last spring, Marin says his office has found that officials with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General have “systemically discouraged” the SIU from going public when officers do not co-operate and continued to dismiss concerns about lawyers vetting police notes before they’re submitted to the agency.

In the report, the ombudsman found the SIU experienced a lack of co-operation from police officers in more than one-third of the 658 cases it investigated the past four years.

During that period, the SIU director wrote 227 times to police chiefs to raise concerns and received only 20 “substantive responses,” said Marin.

In 50 cases, the agency was contacted late or not at all, which police forces are mandated to do under the Police Services Act.

Some of the instances involved civilians having their noses or arms broken, being struck with a Taser four times or bitten by a police dog.

According to the report, the SIU sent a director’s letter to Windsor’s police chief on four occasions.

One letter cited the force’s failure to notify SIU and three letters were over delays in notifying SIU about incidents. SIU also raised the issue of an officer’s conduct in one of those letters.

The report shows the chief did not respond to any of the letters.

“I don’t recall (the letters) asking for a response,” Windsor police Chief Gary Smith said.

“I’ll look at each letter individually. I always consider whether I’m going to respond or not, but I’ve seen nothing that jumps out at me that requires a response.”

Sources say the incident in which Windsor police failed to notify SIU involved a car accident between a police vehicle and civilian car.

Smith said he’s unsure of the incident, but suspects it relates to a woman who was involved in an accident but “didn’t complain of any injuries” until two weeks after the crash when she called the SIU.

“I think she had a broken wrist or broken bones in the back of her hand,” said Smith, who can only recall the incident took place “well over a year ago.”

Smith said he was unable to retrieve information pertaining to the incidents.

“We’ve never interfered with note taking, we never refused to answer or provide notes or that sort of thing,” Smith said.

He said he plans on revisiting the letters sent by the SIU, but has “no requirement” to respond.

In comparison to the Toronto Police Service receiving 82 letters and the OPP obtaining 47, Windsor’s four letters are “not that bad,” Smith said.

Ombudsman Ontario and SIU officials were unable to comment on specific Windsor cases beyond the contents of the Marin’s report.

The SIU was created as a civilian watchdog agency in 1990 to conduct criminal investigations into police incidents involving serious injuries, deaths and allegations of sexual abuse. It is responsible for 58 police forces across the province.

“Ontario was on the right track when it created the SIU with a bold vision of complete independence and investigative authority,” said Marin in a statement. “But as we’ve seen over the past 21 years, that vision can’t be realized if the government doesn’t stand behind the SIU.”

This is the second report by the ombudsman on the effectiveness of the agency.

In a 2008 report titled Oversight Unseen, Marin found the SIU was “under-resourced, suffered from perceived pro-police bias and its investigations lacked rigour and transparency.”

He put forward 46 recommendations, including encouraging the agency to hire fewer ex-police officers and to create more severe penalties for those who don’t co-operate with its investigations. At the time, the report also urged the government to define the role and power of the SIU in provincial legislation.

Although the SIU has attempted to implement many of the recommendations, the government has not, said Marin.

This new report comes after a recent ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal, which found that officers do not have the right to have their notes vetted by lawyers before submitting them to the SIU.

The families of two men shot dead by police in June 2009 in separate incidents had brought the case forward.

With files from PostMedia News

© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star

Thomas Lester Harper Accused Of Causing Car Accident, Shooting Onlooker

ARLINGTON, Texas â€" Police say a Texas man caused an eight-vehicle wreck that killed another motorist, then fatally shot a man who walked up to the scene.

Thomas Lester Harper faces murder and intoxication manslaughter charges and was booked into an Arlington jail. No attorney is listed for him.

Harper's twin toddlers were with him, and police say the boy and girl suffered minor injuries.

It happened Wednesday when Harper's SUV crashed into two cars in Arlington. Investigators believe he sped away and smashed into the rear of a pickup truck, killing the man driving that vehicle and triggering the eight-vehicle wreck.

Police say Harper shot a man who walked up to the driver's side of the SUV. It's not clear if he was a bystander, witness or someone in the crash.

Charleston Auto Accident Attorney Says Rise in Pedestrian Fatalities Should Alarm Drivers and Walkers

Ken Harrell of Charleston’s Joye Law Firm says safety must be a daily concern of everyone who uses South Carolina’s roadways.

North Charleston, S.C. (PRWEB) December 15, 2011

Charleston auto accident attorney Ken Harrell said today that a recently reported spike in the number of pedestrian deaths in South Carolina and across the country should strike a note of caution with drivers as well as those on foot.

“The first thought when hearing about a pedestrian death may be to blame the victim, but we’ve found in many cases that the driver’s inattention is to blame,” said Harrell, managing partner at Joye Law Firm, which assists South Carolinians injured in auto accidents from offices in North Charleston and Myrtle Beach.

“Pedestrians and drivers need to remind themselves daily that they have to share the road, and that each of us must look out for the safety of others as well as ourselves,” Harrell said.

The State newspaper in Columbia and USA Today recently reported unexplained increases in pedestrian deaths.

The December 7 report in The State said pedestrian deaths across South Carolina have increased by 24 percent, from 81 at the same time last year to 101 so far this year.

USA Today said national statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that pedestrian fatalities rose 4.2 percent in 2010 over 2009.

In each report, officials were at a loss to explain why the number of pedestrian deaths has risen while the number of fatal car wrecks has fallen.

Since its founding in 1968, the Joye Law Firm has investigated thousands of automobile and pedestrian accidents for injured clients in preparation of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.

“In the last few years, especially, we’ve found that distractions such as cell phones, iPods and other electronic devices have contributed to distracted driving accidents that have injured or killed pedestrians, as well as drivers,” Harrell said.

“Unfortunately, intoxicated drivers continue to kill far too many pedestrians,” Harrell continued.

The veteran Charleston personal injury attorney said it often takes a law firm’s investigation of a car accident or a walking accident to determine who is responsible.

“After a car crash, the police look for violations of the law, and the insurance company looks to make a quick, low-cost settlement,” Harrell said. “Responsibility and accountability for the true injuries and costs of an automotive accident are often only the concern of those who have been harmed.”

Anyone injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle â€" whether they are a driver, pedestrian or passenger â€" or the loved one of someone killed in such an accident, should seek the help of an experienced auto accident and personal injury attorney, Harrell said.

“An attorney serves as an advocate of the injured to ensure their rights are protected,” he said. “Any pedestrian hurt in a collision with a motor vehicle, or a family that has lost someone, needs to obtain proper legal advice to assist them as they enter what is likely to be a difficult recovery process.”

About Joye Law Firm

Since 1968, Joye Law Firm has been fighting to help people throughout South Carolina with their legal challenges in a broad range of practice areas, including personal injury, car accidents, birth injury, brain injury, defective products, drug injury, motorcycle accidents, nursing home abuse, Social Security disability, spinal cord injury, traffic tickets, truck accidents, workers’ compensation and wrongful death. The South Carolina law firm has offices in Charleston and Myrtle Beach and assists clients in areas that include Florence, Richland County, Orangeburg, Columbia, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville and the Horry County communities of Conway and North Myrtle Beach. Contact the firm by calling (888) 324-3100 or filling out its online form.

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Ken Harrell
Joye Law Firm
(888) 324-3100
Email Information

Washington DC Car Accident Attorney Hails Maryland's New Ban On Hand-Held Cell Phones And Driving

Michael A. Abelson, a Washington DC lawyer who handles motor vehicle accident cases, says the law is a key step toward curbing one of the "most preventable" causes of accidents.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 12, 2010

Michael A. Abelson, a Washington DC attorney who handles car accident cases, says a new Maryland law banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving will bring an immediate improvement in highway safety.

"Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing and most preventable hazards on the road. This law will go a long way towards getting drivers' attention back to driving, not talking," said Abelson, a Washington, DC lawyer who represents personal injury and car accident victims.

Lawyer Mike Abelson is founder of the Abelson Law Firm, with offices in Washington DC and the Maryland cities of Baltimore and Frederick.

Maryland is the eighth state to ban drivers from talking on a handheld cell phone under a new law that took effect Oct. 1. Maryland banned sending text messages while driving last year.

"We are making important gains against distracted driving," Abelson said. "But the scale of the problem and the power of the temptation to make even a quick call or text means it will take more laws and education to keep making progress."

In 2008, an estimated 21 percent of 1.6 million injury crashes were reported to have involved distracted driving, according the National Highway Safety Administration.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's website distraction.gov reports that:

The push to ban hand-held cell phones while driving began more a decade ago and encountered resistance by lawmakers who thought it would be too intrusive on individual rights. The law that passed takes a gentler approach to offenders than some safety experts advocated.

The bill sets a $40 fine for a first offense and $100 for continuing violations, but being ticketed for the first time will not add points to a motorist's driving record.

Violating the cell phone ban is a secondary offense which means police cannot stop a motorists only for using a hand-held cell phone. There must be a primary offense, such as speeding or erratic driving.

Abelson noted that seat belt laws became tougher as the public came to appreciate the importance of buckling up. He predicted the cell phone law will evolve in the same direction.

"This is a start, a big start," he said. "Once people see how a reduction in hand-held cell phone makes our roads safer, they will wonder what took so long."

Only eight states and Washington DC have banned handheld cell use for all drivers. California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington state currently ban handheld cell phone use while driving. Delaware also has approved a ban, but it doesn't take effect until January.

About the Abelson Law Firm

The Abelson Law Firm, based in Washington, D.C., assists victims of serious personal injuries. Senior attorney Michael A. Abelson has received the Lawyer of the Year Award from the Trial Lawyers Association of Washington, D.C., and has been listed as among “The Cream of the Legal Establishment” by Washingtonian Magazine. Abelson has more than 35 years of legal experience, and he is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates as well as being a sustaining member of the American Association for Justice. For a free case evaluation, call (888) 797-4242 or use the firm’s online form.

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Michael A. Abelson
Abelson Law Firm
888-797-4242
Email Information

Councilmember Injured In Car Accident

Story Created: Dec 6, 2011 PST

Story Updated: Dec 6, 2011 at 6:48 PM PST

Carpinteria - A local public figure is recovering from injuries tonight after a car accident Friday night.

It happened around 10:50 p.m. on southbound Highway 101 at Padaro Lane.

CHP officials say Carpinteria City Councilmember Joe Armendariz, 44, was driving his Volvo when he struck the center divider, crossed over both lanes of the highway and ended up about fifty feet off the roadway. No other cars were involved and nobody else was in the car with Armendariz. The Councilmember was detained for suspicion of driving under the influence.

"Officers arrived to find a vehicle that had come to rest in a field of trees. It was a solo vehicle traffic accident, there were no other vehicles involved, however alcohol is suspected to be a factor and that's all being investigated at this point," said C.H.P Officer Jeremy Wayland.

Armendariz was taken to Cottage hospital, where he stayed overnight. He suffered a compression fracture in his neck. He is now recovering back home.

Armendariz directed all calls to his attorney, Joshua Lynn who told KEY News, "Nobody is more disappointed than Joe himself," and "he is taking immediate action to confront a problem with alcohol."

KEY News Reporter Scott Hurst has the story.

Austin Car Accident Attorney Urges Texans to Avoid Drinking and Driving over Holiday Season

Bob Richardson of the Bob Richardson Law Firm encourages responsible seasonal celebrations and offers tips for avoiding drinking while driving.

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) December 14, 2011

Austin car accident attorney Bob Richardson today urged Texans to think before getting behind the wheel and to avoid driving after drinking this holiday season.

“The happiest time of year can all too quickly turn tragic when holiday revelry needlessly leads to recklessness on the part of those who have had too much to drink,” said Richardson, founder of the Bob Richardson Law Firm.

“We wish our friends and neighbors in Austin, Waco and across Texas a happy holiday season that is free of accidents, injuries and legal charges caused by drunk driving.”

Richardson, whose Texas personal injury law firm has investigated thousands of drunk driving accidents as part of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits prosecuted on behalf of car accident victims, said statistics show that many traffic fatalities during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays involve alcohol.

The veteran attorney cited a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report from May 2010 that says between 1999 and 2009 nationally, 37 percent of highway fatalities that occurred over Christmas and 40 percent of fatalities over New Year’s involved alcohol-impaired driving.

An NHTSA report from August 2010 says 40 percent of the 3,071 traffic fatalities in Texas in 2009 were attributable to alcohol-impaired driving. In 2008, 38 percent of the year’s 3,476 highway fatalities in Texas were caused by alcohol-impaired driving.

“The Texas Department of Transportation says that about every 20 minutes in Texas, someone is hurt or killed in an auto accident involving alcohol,” Richardson said. “But drunk driving can be avoided.”

Richardson offered tips from the Texas Department of Transportation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse for those who have been drinking:

“The sad fact is, even those who follow the rules and act in a safe manner can be hurt by those who do not,” Richardson said. “Anyone who has been injured by a drunk driver or has lost a loved one to a drunk driver is the victim of a reckless act and has legal rights that need to be protected.

“Victims of drunk driving wrecks or any kind of motor vehicle accident caused by another driver need to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure that their rights are upheld and, where compensation is due, they get what they are entitled.”

About The Bob Richardson Law Firm

The Bob Richardson Law Firm is a highly respected Texas personal injury and Social Security disability law firm. The firm is dedicated to providing skilled and professional legal services to clients in cases involving car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, drunk driving accidents, construction accidents, workplace accidents and slip and fall accidents as well as representation to those seeking benefits for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The firm features offices in Austin and Waco and assists clients throughout Round Rock, Georgetown, Killeen, Temple, Cedar Park, Lakeway, Taylor, Belton and surrounding Texas communities. To learn more about The Bob Richardson Law Firm, call (800) 880-5100 or use the firm’s online form.

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Don R. Cotton
Bob Richardson Law Firm
(800) 880-5100
Email Information

Morristown Car Accident Attorney Says State Needs To Do More to Combat Drunk Driving

Attorney Brack Terry of the Eastern Tennessee personal injury law firm of Terry, Terry & Stapleton says that MADD’s recent ‘Report to the Nation’ outlines steps that the state could take to reduce impaired driving-related accidents, injuries and deaths.

Morristown, TN (PRWEB) December 14, 2011

Reacting to MADD’s recent “Report to the Nation,” Morristown car accident lawyer F. Braxton “Brack” Terry said more work needs to be done to reduce drunk driving in Tennessee.

“Drunk driving causes too many accidents, injuries and deaths in Tennessee. It is one of the worst examples of reckless driving,” said Terry, whose Morristown personal injury law firm represents the victims of auto accidents throughout Eastern Tennessee, including accidents caused by impaired drivers.

“Our state should strongly consider the recommendations in this report,” he said. “Our law firm supports any measures that would make our roads safer for everyone.”

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) released the report in connection with the fifth anniversary of the advocacy group’s “Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving.” The report rated each state on its efforts to combat impaired driving.

MADD gave Tennessee only two out of five stars. The group commended the state for making “significant strides in reducing drunk driving” by passing laws that require ignition interlock devices for high-blood alcohol concentration (BAC) drivers and repeat offenders. However, MADD urged Tennessee to require the interlock devices for all DUI convictions, including first-time offenses.

The group also called for the state to adopt measures that allow law enforcement officers and driver’s license authorities to immediately revoke driving privileges of suspected DUI offenders upon arrest. This process is called Administrative License Revocation, or ALR.

“Driving is a privilege, and when a person abuses that privilege by drinking and driving, they need to face the consequences, which should include reasonable restrictions on their driving,” Terry said.

According to Terry, statistics show that drunk driving is a serious problem in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that its officers arrested 3,179 drivers for driving with a BAC of .08 or above in 2010. Those numbers include a combined 416 DUI arrests in Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Sevier and Union counties. They do not include arrests made by local law enforcement.

Out of the total 989 traffic fatalities on Tennessee roads in 2009, roughly one-third involved drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher and 20 percent involved drivers with a BAC of .15 or above, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“When a drunk driver harms another person â€" whether it’s another motorist, passenger or pedestrian â€" they need to be held accountable,” Terry said. “That’s why it’s important for victims and their families to contact an experienced Tennessee drunk driving accident attorney without delay in order to seek justice.”

Terry pointed out that punitive damages are available in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against a drunk driver (and their insurance company). Punitive damages are intended to punish and deter especially wrongful conduct, he said.

“Our state recently capped punitive damages in civil lawsuits at $500,000 or two times the total amount of compensatory damages â€" whichever is greater,” Terry said.

“However, I commend our legislature for not applying that cap to cases in which a person has been injured or killed by a drunk or drugged driver. It sends a message that our state takes impaired driving seriously. We need to continue to take it seriously.”

About Terry, Terry & Stapleton

Terry, Terry & Stapleton is a firm of personal injury lawyers and criminal trial attorneys that has served East Tennessee residents for more than 46 years, including residents of Morristown, Rogersville, Newport, Knoxville, Kingsport, Johnson City, Jefferson City and Greeneville. The firm handles personal injury and wrongful death cases, including car accident claims, workplace injuries, Social Security disability claims, medical malpractice lawsuits and product liability cases. For more information, call (877) 479-9588 or use the firm’s convenient online form.

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Brack Terry
Terry, Terry & Stapleton
(877) 479-9588
Email Information

Repeat DWI Offender Avoids Jail Time

Despite emotional statements from her victims and a flood of letters asking for harsher punishment, Charlotte DePersia of East Hamptonâ€"a repeat DWI offender who pleaded guilty after injuring two people in a car accident in November 2010â€"will not serve any jail time.

Appearing before Judge William Conden at the Arthur M. Cromarty Courthouse in Riverhead for her sentencing on Tuesday, Ms. DePersia, 58, was sentenced to 840 hours of community service, which will be served in lieu of six months of jail time, as punishment for the felony DWI charge connected with the crash.

She was also sentenced to five years of probation and must wear a mandated ankle device called a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor, or SCRAM, at all times. Additionally, she must follow strict alcohol and narcotics provisions and have interlock devices installed on all of her vehicles. She will also pay at least $1,000 in fines and had her driver’s license revoked for a year.

Judge Conden warned Ms. DePersia that if she slips up in any way, she will be immediately sent to an upstate prison, where she will begin serving a term of 15 to 48 monthsâ€"a sentence originally requested by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota for the DWI charge.

“You have no margin for error,” Judge Conden warned. “One dirty urine and you’re going upstate.”

Prior to being sentenced, Ms. DePersia, who has been undergoing counseling for a year, apologized tearfully to her victims.

“I am so horrified with myself,” she said, adding that she takes complete responsibility for her actions. “I am deeply ashamed and I am so very sorry. I promise I will never do it again.”

Ms. DePersia was arrested on November 27, 2010, after she slammed her Land Rover into another car on Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton that was carrying four passengers: Lindsay Soyka and Matthew Gluck, who split their time between East Quogue and New York City, and their friends Karyn and Mark Sholack. Ms. Sholack was pregnant at the time and suffered a broken rib, while Ms. Soyka walked away with a broken nose. Their husbands were not injured.

At the time of the crash, Ms. DePersia was on probation for a 2009 DWI.

Ms. DePersia later pleaded guilty to all of the charges in the indictment from the 2010 accident, including felony DWI, vehicular assault, crossing the median and possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, according to authorities. A Starbucks cup filled with red wine was found in her vehicle.

All four victims attended Tuesday’s sentencing, and Ms. Sholack brought her babyâ€"5-month-old Henryâ€"to the courtroom. Prior to the sentencing, all victims read statements describing the pain and anguish they have experienced due to the accident.

“This is a disgrace,” Mr. Gluck said afterward. “Justice was not served.”

Driver found guilty in deadly street racing crash

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - A jury has found a man guilty in a fatal crash that killed three people while he was racing his car and crashed in 2009. He has been sentenced to between three and four years in prison.

Tyler Stasko, 23, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter on all charges Tuesday evening.

Police say Stasko and Carlene Atkinson were speeding down York Road when Cynthia Furr pulled out of her Riverpointe neighborhood near Lake Wylie in April 2009.

Furr, her two-year-old daughter McAllister, and 13-year-old Hunter Holt died. Holt was a passenger in Stasko's car.

WBTV's Sharon Smith says the courtroom was very quiet when the verdict was read just after 4:40 p.m.  Defense attorney Deke Falls nodded to the jury when the verdict was announced.

Stasko's friends and family approached him one by one, giving him hugs during a short break after the verdict was read.

Around 5:20 p.m. the judge sentence Stasko to prison for a term of 15 to 18 months, for each charge, which is to be run consecutively. This is between 3.75 years to 4.5 years.

This is the maximum penalty for all charges.

"I wish I could take this day back," Stasko said during sentencing on Tuesday, "And I know I can't."

After being sentenced, Stasko was taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs.

During the closing arguments in the trial of Stasko ended with the defense asking for mercy and the prosecution asking for the heaviest conviction.

Stasko began crying and was surrounded by his family as the closing arguments ended. The jury had already been cleared from the room as he wept.

"The defendant fired a weapon at a speed of at least 100 miles per hour," Prosecutor Clayton Jones said. "An accident can be anticipated, an accident can be avoided...this was murder."

The families of the victims wiped tears away during the closing arguments. Prosecutors showed pictures of the wreckage again, and described how Furr had no way of knowing Stasko and Atkinson were coming over the hill.

The prosecution and defense both rested in the case on Friday after Stasko testified is his own defense.

Stasko told the jury that he does not remember the impact of the crash, but he testified to what happened before and after.

"I just remember passing another vehicle, I was in the left lane and then a church and the next thing I remember I was waking up in the car," said Stasko.

Stasko's taped statement to police right after the crash reveals details of the moment he crashed into Cynthia Furr's Mercedes.

Previous article: Prosecution rests, Stasko tells jury he doesn't remember impact of crash

"As soon as I came over that hill, the car was stopped and it wasn't doing anything and then right at the last minute it stepped on the gas and started pulling out," said Stasko in the taped statement to police.

The 23-year-old describes slamming the brakes; however police officer Jesse Wood testified that there were no skid marks.

"I know based on what happened you want to hold someone accountable," said defense attorney Deke Falls during closing arguments. "He is not a murderer."

Jurors rode went out to the scene of the crash last Thursday, escorted by police who blocked the road so jurors could view the accident site.

Rex Thomas was also a passenger in Stasko's car. The teen survived with a broken foot and said Stasko tried to avoid the accident by hitting his brakes.

Since the accident, a traffic light has been installed outside the neighborhood. Steve Price, Mackie's father and Cynthia's husband, has also set up a foundation to help those in the community in honor of his loved ones. To read more about the Mackie Price Family Foundation, click here.

There is also a pending civil lawsuit addressing the city's and developer's responsibility in installing a traffic light sooner on York Road.

Both Stasko and Atkinson have spent most of the past two years out on bond. Atkinson will be facing a judge at a later date. She had a history of speeding tickets.

If the jury finds Stasko guilty, they must also decide if he is guilty of second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, or misdemeanor death by vehicle.

To convict on second degree murder, the jury must find that there was malice and proximate cause of death. The state argues that there was malice in the case because Stasko was driving with a revoked license and showed "no regard for life."

Involuntary manslaughter is a lesser charge which shows negligence, but not malice.

Copyright WBTV 2011. All rights reserved.

Stasko trial now in the hands of jurors

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The case of a 23-year-old charged with three counts of murder after a deadly drag racing accident is now in the hands of the jury. 

Jurors spent a little more than three hours deliberating Monday afternoon.
          
Police say Tyler Stasko was racing when he slammed into the car of a Winthrop Professor.  That car was driven by Cynthia Furr. The crash killed her and her two year old daughter who was riding in the backseat.

Even though the defense admitted Tyler Stasko was speeding, this may be a complicated deliberation for jurors.  If they find him guilty, they have choices.  They could come back with a verdict of murder, involuntary manslaughter or misdemeanor death by vehicle.

The prosecution says Tyler Stasko is a murderer, urging the jury not to find the 23-year-old guilty of a lesser charge.

“Folks, it just wasn't an accident.  An accident can be anticipated, an accident can be avoided. Folks, what this is, is murder,” said Clayton Jones.

The state argued Stasko acted with malice when he sped down south Tryon and slammed into Furr and her daughter in April of 2009.  Hunter Holt, a 13-year-old passenger in Stasko’s car was also killed.

Jones told jurors, “What that is, is racing on a major thoroughfare when there’s traffic ahead of you and you're going up to 100 miles an hour as you approach cars”.

But defense attorneys argued Furr was partly to blame, that as the choir director, she was in a hurry to get to church.

“There is evidence that she may have been distracted and there is evidence that the child may not have been strapped into the child seat,” said Deke Falls.

Stasko's attorney also told jurors police investigating the crash never looked into the possibility Furr might have been partly to blame.

“Once they heard the words racing it’s kind of like tunnel vision came on and they didn't consider anything else. They just got a focus of racing, racing, racing,” Falls said.

Jose Santiago identified as the victim in Wilson Borough hit-and-run accident

Authorities have identified the man killed Sunday night in a Wilson Borough hit-and-run accident as Jose Santiago, 22.

Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek did not have an exact address for Santiago, but said he resides in the Easton area.

Lysek said Santiago was putting something inside the trunk of his car and was struck. Santiago died at the scene of the crash, which happened about 8:40 p.m. in the 1600 block of Northampton Street.

Wilson Borough police Chief Steve Parkansky identified Kelly Marazas, 41, of the 1800 block of Fairview Avenue in Wilson Borough as a suspect in the fatal crash. Marazas was involved in a second crash Sunday night at Fairview Avenue and 20th Street when her black Chevrolet SUV crashed into a utility pole, police said.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said he thinks alcohol might be a factor, but he is awaiting for the results of a blood test.

Marazas has not been charged. A man who answered the door at her home this afternoon declined to comment.

"I believe there will be charges, but we have to put everything together," Morganelli said.

Parkansky would not elaborate on the investigation, which is being conducted with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Northampton County District Attorney's office. A witness said they saw a dark SUV driving erratically in the area moments before the crash.

The fatal accident happened about 8:30 p.m. A red Honda sustained the most damage. Police think that car and a Jeep were parked on the side of the road when they were struck.

A woman and a small child could be seen being taken by ambulance from the scene of the first crash. Parkansky said those two were involved in the first crash, but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He could not elaborate on how they were involved in the crash.

Shortly after the first accident, police were summoned to the second one at 20th Street and Fairview Avenue.

Police said they are consulting on the case with Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Bill Blake, who prosecutes drunken driving incidents.