On Aug. 13, a 48-year-old man who allegedly dragged a woman with his vehicle for three blocks entered a not guilty plea to charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and vehicular homicide. The fatal incident reportedly occurred at a farmers’ market in Hawthorne on Aug. 10.
Officials claim that the 48-year-old man was driving a pickup truck when he barreled into the farmers’ market, crashing through a barricade, displacing several vendor stands and hitting a total of three people, including the woman whom he dragged and killed. The two other people struck by the pickup truck were hospitalized following the incident.
Officials booked the 48-year-old man into jail on charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Reportedly, officials ordered him to relinquish his driver’s license and submit to psychiatric evaluation as well.
Irrespective of the criminal charges filed in this case, the 48-year-old man may also be held financially liable for the accident in civil court if there is significant evidence that his actionable behavior caused the incident. That is because people who suffer damages in connection with a car accident may be entitled to financial compensation through civil action.
For example, people who suffer injuries in accidents caused by negligent or reckless driving may retain a personal injury attorney and file a claim against the at-fault driver. In this way, accident victims may seek restitution for economic damages they suffered in relation to their injuries. These damages may include hospital bills, medical costs and even expenses associated with physical therapy and rehabilitation. Moreover, victims might also seek compensation for lost wages if their injuries prevent them from going to work and earning a livelihood.
Source: News 12, “James Woetzel pleads not guilty in Hawthorne farmers market crash“, August 13, 2014