Fatal accident claims life of Massachusetts teen; DUI blamed

A recent car accident involving two Massachusetts women from Middleboro resulted in the death of one and criminal charges for the other. The accused driver has been charged with homicide by a motor vehicle, along with a number of unspecified additional charges. The fatal accident took the life of an 18-year-old girl that was described by one friend as an angel on earth. It also resulted in injuries to a passenger in the pickup truck of the woman now facing criminal charges.

The fatal accident occurred in the early morning hours of the last Saturday in March. Details of the crash were few, though authorities asserted the accused woman was both drunk and under the influence of heroin. Her blood alcohol content was reportedly .14 percent, well over the Massachusetts limit of .08 percent. Both vehicles apparently overturned.

The victim was adored locally and worked at a Dunkin’ Donuts in her hometown. She was a college freshman and was home on spring break at the time of the tragedy. The crash site occurred along Route 44, and a memorial to the victim was set up near the crash site. The injured passenger from the pickup was airlifted to a Boston hospital, though the specific nature and extent of her injuries was not disclosed.

The woman’s arraignment took place in Wareham District Court, and bail was set at $100,000. The victim’s family and the injured passenger will likely follow the progress of any further police investigation as well as the criminal proceedings. They each have the right to pursue claims for monetary damages under Massachusetts personal injury laws with regard to the fatal accident. Any criminal conviction obtained against the driver thought responsible may be offered as evidence of liability in a related civil lawsuit for reimbursement of monetary damages.

Source: southcoasttoday.com, “Friends remember teen who was “angel on earth”,” Simon Rio, April 2, 2013