Intoxicated Teenager Faces Wrongful Death Lawsuit for Killing Kansas Man

Teenage drinking and driving is more than a just a problem; it is a real cause for concern. It is estimated that while teen drivers make up approximately 10 percent of licensed motorists, they are the cause of more than 15 percent of all alcohol-related crashes. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 2012, 25 percent of male drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 years who were involved in fatal crashes had been drinking. It is estimated that alcohol is a factor in a third of all teenage auto fatalities.

To combat this problem, all states including the District of Columbia have adopted a zero tolerance policy for minors who drink and drive. For example, in both Kansas and Missouri, a minor who is found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .02 or more is subject to criminal charges. While laws like “zero tolerance” have helped, they have not eliminated the problem of teen drunk driving. All too often, teenagers get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol and the consequences are nothing short of tragic.

In August of 2014, an Overland Park man was killed after he was struck by a car. The Kansas man was standing near a legally parked car on the street in front of his home. The vehicle that hit the parked car and the man was driven by a 17-year old male. The 52-year old died at the scene of the accident. The man’s girlfriend, who was standing close to him when the vehicle approached, suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital. She did however, survive the accident. The teenage driver was not injured.

At the time of the accident, the cause was not known. Later, blood samples taken from the teenage driver at the time of accident, allegedly revealed that the teenager had been drinking. In mid-September, the teenage driver was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, while allegedly driving under the influence, for killing the man. The teen was also charged with one count of aggravated battery, while allegedly under the influence, for injuries sustained by the man’s girlfriend.

In late January, the family of the male victim filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the teenager and his parents. It was discovered that at the time of the accident, the teen was on court probation. As a part of his probation, the teen was required to follow certain rules, including a 9:30 pm curfew and he was not to drink alcohol or be present at any gatherings where alcohol and/or drugs were present. According to the lawsuit filed, the teen’s parents were negligent when they allowed their son to use their car that evening, when they knew or should have known about his history of substance abuse. In filing their lawsuit, the family of the man killed hope that people will become more aware of the frequency of dangerous teenage drinking and driving

If your loved one was seriously injured or killed after being involved in an accident with a drunk driver, the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. are here to help. Our compassionate team of injury attorneys understand how a drunk driver can completely dismantle a person’s life. While our attorneys cannot fix the emotional and physical pain of the injuries suffered or of losing a loved one, they can hold the responsible party financially accountable. The Kansas City Wrongful Death Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless injury victims in both Kansas and Missouri obtain money damages for their losses. To schedule an appointment to discuss your matter with a skilled Kansas City Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Attorney, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.

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