Connecticut Accident Claims Life of Infant
Recently, the Hartford Courant reported on a tragic accident that resulted in the death of a young baby. The two-car collision resulted in the death of a 5-month-old as well as critical injuries to an 11-month-old passenger. The driver of the second car was a 17-year-old. Police are reportedly investigating the cause of the accident to determine who was to blame. 
Lawyers in Hartford, CT know it is important for police to investigate any auto accident that results in serious injury or death. The driver who is to blame for the crash may face both civil liability and criminal liability if the motorist’s actions were negligent or dangerous.
Police Investigating Fatal Accident
The accident reported by the Courant occurred at around 1:20 in the afternoon. A four-door SUV carrying the two infants and their mothers was traveling west on Spencer Street. The other car with the 17-year-old motorist was traveling north on Hillstown. The SUV and other vehicle collided, causing the SUV to roll over and hit a telephone pole.
The impact of the rollover caused the passenger compartment on the SUV roof to be crushed. The two mothers who were in the SUV were able to exit the vehicle after the accident and were waiting outside of the car when police arrived. Police indicate that the damage to the SUV was relatively minor, even with the caved in passenger roof, but, unfortunately both infants had to be extracted from the vehicle by rescue personnel. One of the mothers was also taken to the hospital to treat emotional distress resulting from the accident and injuries to the children.
The driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash was reportedly unhurt. The teen driver was identified by the police at the accident scene, but it is not yet clear if this driver was to blame for the crash or if the mothers in the SUV were somehow responsible for causing the accident.
Sgt. Hank Minor told the Hartford Courant that it could take days for police to complete the preliminary part of the investigation into what went wrong. The investigation will include interviewing witnesses as well as obtaining surveillance video from area stores and applying for search warrants for the drivers’ cell phone and maintenance records.
Sgt. Minor said the current evidence regarding the cause of the crash does not give any indication that drugs, speeding or alcohol were involved. Further, there is no evidence to suggest that the teen driver had been texting at the time when the accident happened. Telephone records should help to shed more light on whether the crash was distracted-driving related.
When police complete their investigation, the driver who was found to be at fault could potentially be sued for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical bills, lost income and/or wrongful death.
If you or your child was injured in an accident, lawyers in Hartford, CT can help. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli, by calling 1-800-WIN-WIN-1.