Two people are dead and three more are in medical care following a car crash in Denver, according to local news. Colorado State Patrol reported that the multi-vehicle crash involved three vehicles. So far, no charges have been filed, but as with most fatal car accidents, the investigation is still underway as police strive to find a cause for the behavior of the driver at fault.
According to the limited report available, a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Interstate 25 on the evening of Jan. 27 caused a three-car pileup. The unknown driver traveling in an SUV around 6:00 p.m. veered into the wrong HOV lane, striking another vehicle nearly head on. The force of the impact propelled the vehicle into the rear of a third car.
Rescue crews confirmed that two people were declared dead at the scene. Three other people were rushed to local hospitals with unknown injuries. It is not clear from the report whether the wrong-way driver was among the deceased or injured. Police have not speculated whether drugs or alcohol were contributing factors in the crash, but they have not ruled anything out at this time. The highway was closed for several hours to facilitate their investigation.
Even if no criminal charges are filed against the wrong way driver, either due to death or a lack of evidence, there is still legal recourse available to the families of the deceased and the injured parties. Colorado state law allows victims of car accidents to file civil suits for wrongful death and/or personal injury. Typically, police evidence of a driver’s material contribution to the accident can be used to support these claims in civil court.
Source: gazette.com, “Wrong-way driver on I-25 kills 2, injures 3“, Jan. 29, 2018