Investigators with the Suffolk County Police reported that both drivers were killed in a head-on wrong-way collision that occurred in East Farmingdale on Nov. 23. Authorities reported that the accident occurred around 11 p.m. on Route 109 in the eastbound lanes of the highway.
Reportedly, a 46-year-old Levittown woman was driving a 1991 Buick Regal west in the eastbound lanes. A 70-year-old Islip woman was driving her 2012 Kia Forte east when the wrong-way driver allegedly struck her car head-on. Emergency responders pronounced her dead after she was transported to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. The driver of the Buick was transported to the same hospital for treatment, but she succumbed to her injuries on Nov. 24.
Law enforcement authorities reported that the wrong-way driver smelled strongly of alcohol. They also reportedly found multiple bottles of beer in her vehicle. Although they have not yet received the toxicology tests, authorities believe that she may have been impaired at the time of the wreck.
Many people are killed in motor vehicle accidents each year at the hands of drunk drivers. When a negligent driver’s actions result in a car crash that causes the death of another, they may be held civilly liable if the victim’s family decides to pursue legal action. When the accused driver also dies in the crash, the family may still be able to recover damages by filing suit against the individual’s estate. People may benefit by speaking with a personal injury attorney experienced in wrongful death cases.
Source: WABC, “2 dead in wrong-way crash involving alleged drunk driver in East Farmingdale, Long Island “, N.J. Burkett , November 24, 2014
