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7-car wreck in Queens leaves 1 dead, 5 hospitalized

On Behalf of | Aug 24, 2018 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

On August 18, a seven-car accident in New York left one person dead and five other people hospitalized. The accident occurred around 4:15 a.m. on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens and was precipitated by a 29-year-old man driving a 2011 Chevrolet who reportedly sideswiped a woman driving a 2012 Acura sedan.

This caused the driver to lose control of the Acura and cross into the lanes traveling in the other direction. According to reports, she hit a Jeep Cherokee, and a Ford pickup truck hit her. The Ford was part of a K-9 unit that belonged to the Department of Homeland Security although there were no dogs in it at the time of the accident. Flying debris hit a Honda, and the Chevrolet driver then went on to hit a Toyota SUV and a BMW.

A 38-year-old passenger in the Acura died. The driver of the Chevrolet and a passenger in that vehicle were taken to the hospital, but they did not have life-threatening injuries. Several other people were also hospitalized. Police said they did not know why the man originally hit the woman in the Acura, but alcohol did not appear to be involved. Charges have not been filed against any drivers.

When a motor vehicle accident like this happens and people are injured, the driver who caused the accident may be considered financially responsible. This may be the case even if no charges are filed against the driver or if criminal charges are filed but the driver is found not guilty. A civil lawsuit might be brought against the driver if necessary to get compensation. Since the burden of proof is lower in a civil case, a civil case may be successful where a criminal case is not.

Source: New York Daily News, “One dead, five hospitalized in seven car wreck in Queens,” Thomas Tracy, 8/18/2018