When a driver makes the choice to drink and drive, he places everyone else on the road at risk. Though we often think of drunk driving accidents as occurring between two motor vehicles, the fact is, pedestrians and bicyclists are at even greater risk than motorists.
This was proven in a terrible tragedy last month, when a career schoolteacher and dean was struck and killed while riding his bicycle. The driver who struck him did not stay to render aid.
Police later arrested a 51-year-old man in connection with the hit-and-run accident. Authorities say alcohol was involved in the collision. The man is currently being held in lieu of a half-million dollar bond. Incredibly, the 51-year-old man has faced DUI charges six times in the past; if convicted in this case, he would almost certain face lengthy imprisonment and the long-term or permanent revocation of his driving privileges.
These punishments will do little to compensate the bicyclist’s family for the losses they have suffered. Often in cases like this, the victim’s family chooses to pursue a wrongful death personal injury case in addition to the criminal charges that have been brought against the alleged drunk driver. This wrongful death case may compensate the victim’s family for the losses they have suffered as a result of the accident, including funeral expenses, medical bills, loss of companionship and mental anguish.
In the wake of the accident, the victim’s school issued a statement praising the man’s years of service to the school. He was described as a popular English teacher and a faculty advisor for the students in the Outdoor Club.
Members of the Queen City Bike Group and the Cincinnati Cycle Club vowed to lead a memorial ride honoring the schoolteacher’s memory.
Source: WLWT-TV, “Hit and run victim identified as Cincinnati Country Day teacher” Courtis Fuller, Feb. 24, 2014