An arrest has been made in a Houston accident that caused a man to be thrown from an elevated section of Interstate 45 and fall to his death. The fatal car accident, which happened at around 8:30 p.m. in North Houston, occurred when the man’s car was struck from behind by a pickup truck while the victim’s car was parked on the shoulder of the southbound lanes of the North Freeway. The man had been working on his car at the time he was struck. The impact launched the man from the elevated freeway down to the frontage road, and he was declared dead at the scene.
The pickup driver fled the scene, but Houston police located him at a nearby gas station, where he was questioned. He was arrested and faces charges of intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid. There were early reports of a child also being injured in the crash, but those proved unfounded.
The victim’s family must now come to grips with the enormity of the tragedy. While their first thoughts will be to arrange for his funeral and honor his life, they will also want to know how such a horrific car accident could have occurred. Beyond answers, they will most likely seek to hold the responsible party to account for the death of their loved one.
Texas law provides for the right of the victim’s estate to seek damages for the wrongful death caused by someone’s negligent actions. And while a criminal conviction will not bring the victim back to his family, it can help bolster a civil case seeking damages.
Source: My Fox Houston, “Fatal Vehicle Accident in North Houston,” Alexander Supgul, Oct. 15, 2011