An 18-year-old high school student is dead after a tragic car accident on Mullan Road in Missoula, Montana. The male student was walking near a local retail establishment when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle, according to authorities. The young man was hit at about 4:30 p.m. on April 1, according to law enforcement officers.
Authorities report that the young victim was transported to area hospital facilities, where he was declared dead just minutes after arriving. The victim appears to have died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck, according to initial reports. Mullan Road between Broadway and Great Northern Avenue was closed for several hours as investigators worked to reconstruct the accident. A 75-foot swath of road was closed off.
Also noted at the scene was a silver Acura. That vehicle’s passenger-side window was caved in, according to local media reports.
No arrests have been made in connection with the accident, and investigation into the matter appears to be ongoing. Authorities said that speed and alcohol likely did not play a role in the tragic crash.
In this case, the driver of the offending vehicle has not yet been taken into custody. It is not clear whether that person will face criminal charges in connection with the accident. Even if the driver is not charged with criminal activity, he or she could still be brought to justice with the application of a civil suit.
Relatives of the deceased can seek financial retribution by filing a personal injury suit against the driver. This suit could include claims for wrongful death, along with emotional distress, pain and suffering and other specifics. Furthermore, wrongful death claims allow family members to seek compensation for loss of consort, a claim that essentially provides money because of the absence of the decedent from relatives’ lives. Family members will need to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney to discuss their legal options in this case.
Source: Missoulian, “18-year-old dies after being hit by car on Missoula’s Mullan Road,” Keila Szpaller, April 1, 2013