Everyday people in Pennsylvania and Ohio are out walking either as transportation or for fitness. Rarely do those people think about the possibility of being hit by a car on their walk. Unfortunately when pedestrian are struck by motor vehicles, the injuries are often severe and sometimes result in death.

The vehicular homicide criminal trial has commenced for a 21-year-old Mt. Lebanon man who is accused of killing a 36-year-old woman by hitting her with his SUV. The car accident left two children, ages 1 and 3, motherless.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Beadling and Washington roads. As the mother crossed the street at the intersection, she was struck by the vehicle. At the time of the June 2010 accident the woman was pushing a stroller containing her two children.

Immediately following the crash the woman was transported to UPMC Mercy where she ultimately died. Fortunately, the two children were unharmed in the accident.

According to the prosecution in the case, the driver had smoke marijuana within the two hours preceding the crash. That assertion is based on toxicology tests run on the man’s blood that was drawn about an hour and a half after the accident. Assistant chief of toxicology for the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office testified that based on the level of marijuana found in the man’s blood, the man would not be able to safely drive a car.

In addition to this criminal case it is highly likely the man in this case will face a civil lawsuit as well. While nothing can fill the hole left to the young children after losing their mother, compensation potentially received through a wrongful death lawsuit may make it easier for all of her loved ones to move forward with their lives.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “Driver in fatal crash under influence, witness says,” Jill King Greenwood, Sept. 21, 2011