When changes in a traffic pattern occur, especially late at night, it could be difficult for an inattentive driver or a driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol to note the change and make an appropriate adjustment. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania law enforcement officers claim that a driver they say struck a construction worker in a car accident admitted to drinking alcohol prior to the accident. The man has since been arrested and charged.
The fatal accident happened during the early morning hours of a day in early August. Police say that the victim was using markers to prep the road to paint new lines when a driver failed to follow the new traffic pattern. The vehicle struck the 30-year-old worker, resulting in his death.
Police claim that the driver did not remain at the scene but noted that the vehicle sustained significant damage and was missing a sideview mirror. According to reports, the vehicle was ultimately discovered in the garage of a home. The man who was allegedly driving the vehicle, said to have been in his grandmother’s name, is now facing formal charges. Police claim that he admitted to drinking at a bar before the collision, and supposedly also told his boss that he killed someone.
Those who are injured while at work are often entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and these benefits can extend to certain family members in the event of a fatality. Additionally, the family of this Pennsylvania man could also choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver who is accused of causing the car accident. A successfully presented lawsuit could result in a monetary award that will help the family cope with the financial implications of their loss.