After a long winter, most people in Pennsylvania welcome local summer festivals with open arms. The opportunity to be outside socializing with others is for some, what summer is all about. Unfortunately, all it takes is carelessness or negligence on the part of one participant to take a social event from fun to tragedy.

A 17-year-old was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a 23-year-old Carbondale man earlier this month. He was also charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault and harassment.

The Carbondale man died after a punch delivered by the 17-year-old caused him to fall and hit his head on the ground while socializing at the Pioneer Nights festival. He was transported to Community Medical Center where he eventually died. An autopsy performed upon his death two days later indicated he died of blunt head trauma.

The 17-year-old is currently being held at the Lackawanna County Juvenile Detention Center. The Lackawanna County district attorney’s office is planning on filing a petition that seeks to have the case moved to the adult criminal court. A transfer hearing will determine if the case will be transferred.

In addition to the criminal charges the teen is facing, he may also face a civil wrongful death lawsuit as well. Such a claim, usually brought by the loved ones of the deceased, determines how much the death of the loved one is worth monetarily. For many, this is a difficult process. When a case is successful, however, families and loved ones are provided the financial resources often needed to rebuild after an unexpected loss.

Source: The Times-Tribune, “Pioneer Nights manslaughter case to be transferred to adult court,” Denis J. O’Malley, Aug. 25, 2011