A man police say struck and injured several students in Colorado Springs has been found guilty of several charges, according to local authorities. Colorado police arrested the man back in January. As with most car accidents, this was followed by a thorough investigation that led to the criminal charges.
According to the police report, the man failed to stop outside of an elementary school when he was navigating a right turn. Several students were struck by the man’s vehicle in the intersection where they were crossing with the light. Several witnesses reported that five men helped to lift the car off the children who were stuck underneath it. At least one child was critically injured, with three others being taken to a local hospital as well for undetermined injuries.
The 61-year-old man stayed at the scene and cooperated with police. He was charged with child abuse, as well as not exercising due caution behind the wheel, careless driving and careless driving causing bodily injury. He was found not guilty of child abuse and failing to exercise due caution, but he was found guilty of careless driving and careless driving causing bodily injury. He was set to be sentenced on Oct. 23.
In car accidents where children are injured, Colorado authorities will file child-specific charges, including child abuse. However, even if no charges were filed against the driver in question, state law still allows the families of those children to file personal injury claims in civil court. Evidence of the defendant’s negligence is required before a court will consider an award of damages for financial losses sustained.
Source: koaa.com, “Man accused of hitting children in crosswalk found guilty on multiple charges“, Oct. 18, 2017
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