We are all too aware of the number of fatal car accidents that occur on a regular basis throughout the Pittsburgh area. While in some cases there is nothing that could have been done to change the outcome, in many situations, following the rules of the road could either prevent the accident, or greatly reduce the risk of it occurring. One of those laws is not drinking and driving.

Unfortunately, drivers get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol all the time. Sometimes, the result is deadly when a car driven by a drunk driver is involved in an accident. This was the case in June 2010 when four teens were involved in a single car accident after leaving a graduation party where alcohol was served.

Three of the four occupants of the car, including the driver, died when the vehicle in which they were riding ran off the road and crashed into an embankment located in Westmoreland County. At the time of the crash, the 19-year-old driver was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.147.

The woman who provided the alcohol to the under-aged drinkers was criminally charged for her role in the fatal accident. She was found guilty of the charges and will be under house arrest for a year. In addition, she has also been fined $17,000.

The mother of one of the teens who died in the crash was not happy with the outcome. Her feelings that the sentence was not severe enough are understandable when one considers that her child is gone forever and there is nothing that will bring him back. Though it is not clear if this action has already been taken, the teen's mother could potentially find some closure by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. While it would not undo the damage that was done, it could make it easier for her to move forward with her life.

Source: Pocono Record, "Pittsburgh-area mother sentenced for supplying beer before crash," April 27, 2012