Police officers here in Ohio and elsewhere who investigate numerous car crashes can often generally understand what happened just from surveying the scene. Ordinarily, a combination of factors results in automobile accidents instead of just one thing. For instance, a drunk driver may also drive in excess of the speed limit, or someone texting may also steer out of his or her lane. Finding which came first and how the factors combined to result in a crash can be challenging.
For instance, a recent accident in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 requires more investigation based on the intuition of the Ohio State Highway Patrol officers. Preliminary reports indicate that the vehicle blew a tire, but the state of the wreckage and witness statements suggest the driver may also have been traveling over the speed limit when it happened. Moreover, it is possible that distracted driving and a lane change also contributed. The vehicle ended up coming to a stop on its roof off the highway in some grass.
During the crash, a passenger was thrown out of the vehicle and died at the scene. The driver and two other passengers suffered unknown injuries for which they were transported to an area hospital. Reports indicate that one of them was in critical condition.
The factors that led to this tragedy could have a bearing on any potential criminal charges, along with any civil lawsuits filed. Depending on the outcome of any investigations done, the driver may not be the only party to bear legal liability in this case. As is the case in many other automobile accidents, it will be up to the court to decide.
