A man from Erie, Pennsylvania will go to trial to face charges stemming from a fatal car accident on Jan. 6, 2012. The man stands accused of a litany of charges for the car accident, including: aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, accidents involving death or personal injury, driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person and several other traffic violations.

Police reported that the 25-year-old man was driving a 2000 Dodge Neon east on East 14th Street, exceeding the speed limit, when he ran a stop sign and struck a Hyundai Accent travelling south on French Street. The force of the impact partially ejected a passenger in the Hyundai from the vehicle, and she was fatally injured when the Hyundai was forced off the road. Emergency responders pronounced the 24-year-old woman dead at the scene of the accident.

Authorities allege that the driver had a 0.242 blood alcohol concentration when the accident happened – three times Pennsylvania's legal limit. This tragic car accident is another example of the terrible results that can happen when people choose to drink and then get behind the wheel.

While the driver who caused this accident is currently facing criminal charges, the family of the victim may also choose to hold him civilly liable for the losses they have suffered. Drinking and driving is negligent behavior, and the courts sometimes hold those who cause injuries as a result of negligence, responsible for their actions by making them compensate victims monetarily for the damages the victims suffer.

Source: GoErie.com, "Erie man heads to trial on charges in January fatal crash," Tim Hahn, Feb. 16, 2012