A Pennsylvania man facing trial for his involvement in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a 45-year-old motorcyclist this past fall, will have to wait a bit longer for his day in court. The trial which was scheduled to start this week was postponed last week.

The accident occurred when a Honda reportedly driven by the 26-year-old defendant, hit the back end of a Ford Focus, which in turn hit the motorcycle ridden by the now deceased. The force of the collision forced the motorcycle under an SUV. At the time, all of the vehicles were travelling on Eastern Boulevard. The Honda did not remain at the scene and was later traced back to the defendant using a license plate that fell off.

After the accident the motorcyclist was transported to Meritus Medical Center for treatment. It was there that he died the following day.

The accused in this case was charged with multiple crimes including two counts of homicide by vehicle, causing life-threatening injury while impaired by drugs and failure to immediately stop at the scene of an accident involving bodily injury.

In cases like this it is not uncommon for an accused to face a civil lawsuit in addition to the criminal charges. Family members of the person who died may decide to file a wrongful death lawsuit as well. When successful, these types of cases result in financial compensation for the loss of the loved one's life.

The postponement was requested by both sides. So far no new trial date has been set.

Source: The Herald-Mail, "Trial postponed for Hagerstown man charged in fatal accident," Jan. 19, 2012