As the weather improves and gas prices continue to stay below past yearly averages, many expect that this will be a summer of road trips for many Americans. Many New Jersey residents may be planning such trips, either by car or perhaps by motorcycle. With more vehicles on the road and everyone hoping to have a good time, this may cause an increase in drunk driving accidents.
A motorcyclist was recently involved in an apparent drunk driving accident that resulted in his death. The accident occurred in Toms River on a recent Saturday night in May. The motorcyclist was a 48-year-old firefighter from Wallington.
The man was riding his motorcycle in the southbound lane of the Garden State Parkway when a van, driven by a 17-year-old driver, suddenly braked in order to stop in the parkway’s center lane. Investigators believe he was attempting to cross two lanes of traffic in order to exit. The motorcyclist struck the van and was ejected from his motorcycle. He was rushed to a local medical center, where he was later pronounced dead.
The driver of the van was charged with DWI and drug possession. If the driver ends up being convicted of either of these criminal charges against him, proof of it may help advance any related wrongful death claims in civil court. When fatal drunk driving accidents like this one occur in New Jersey, victims — including the surviving families of deceased victims — typically choose to consult experienced personal injury attorneys in order to determine what legal steps may be appropriate with regard to any potential claims for monetary damages.
Source: abc7ny.com, “New Jersey firefighter killed in motorcycle collision with allegedly drunk teen“, Sandra Bookman, May 31, 2016