New Jersey driver charged in pedestrian’s death

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A 74-year-old Camden man has been charged in connection with an auto accident that took the life of a pedestrian in October. He turned himself in to the Camden County Police Department on Dec. 31.

According to authorities, the suspect was allegedly intoxicated when he struck and killed a 53-year-old Camden man who was attempting to cross Westfield Avenue near Rosedale Avenue around 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 4. The pedestrian was taken to Cooper University Hospital where he died at approximately 9:07 p.m.

Someone who witnessed the incident told authorities that the suspect looked wobbly and fell to the ground when he exited his 2000 Ford Explorer after the crash. The witness took the suspect’s car keys and gave them to responding police officers. Police said the suspect allegedly appeared intoxicated and had open containers of alcohol in his vehicle. When tested, his blood alcohol content registered at .21 percent.

The suspect has been charged with death by auto. He was freed from Camden County Jail after posting $150,000 bail.

When someone is killed in a car crash due to the actions of a potentially negligent individual, such as a drunk or distracted driver, the victim’s surviving family members may wish to hire an attorney to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. By using police reports and witness statements, a lawyer may be able to establish another driver’s fault in a fatal accident. If the lawsuit is successful, the driver may be compelled by the court to pay monetary compensation that covers damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost inheritance, loss of companionship and pain and suffering before death.

Source: Nj.com, “Camden man charged in DWI crash that killed pedestrian“, Mark Daniels, January 03, 2015