Sometime on a recent Thursday night, police received a 911 call regarding a vehicle that was traveling the wrong way on U.S. Highway 175 here in Texas. Officers were dispatched to locate the vehicle and stop it. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so before it was involved in a head-on car accident.
The accident occurred around midnight, and a 21-year-old driver was killed in the crash. He was following another vehicle in the eastbound lanes after getting off work that night. The lead vehicle was occupied by his friends and family, and they were able to swerve out of the path of the wrong-way driver, but he was not as fortunate. His car and the wrong-way vehicle struck head-on, and both vehicles burst into flames when they collided.
A witness says that she did not see the impact, but heard a boom and flames coming from the two vehicles. Others also stopped to see if they could help. Sadly, no one could get close enough to save either driver. Both of them perished in the crash, and the family and friends of the 21-year-old victim could do nothing but watch. The Texas Department of Public Safety is assisting local police in the investigation.
Even though the driver believed to be responsible for this horrific car accident also died in the crash, the victim's family retains the right to file a wrongful death claim against that person's estate. If surviving family members prove negligence, a Texas civil court could award damages to them that are permissible under state law. Even though such an award will not bring back their loved one, it could help defray the financial burdens thrust upon them in the aftermath of the crash that took his life.
Source: CBS DFW, "Two Killed In Fiery Head-On Crash In Kaufman County", Brian New, Feb. 12, 2016