A 41-year-old Oregon woman has been detained in jail on second-degree manslaughter charges following a traffic accident that left a 17-year-old boy dead. The woman was recently indicted by a grand jury for her role in the September crash.
Although the suspect faces criminal penalties for the accident, she could still be subject to civil litigation if the victim’s family chooses to seek damages compensating them for the pain and suffering caused by the death of their loved one. However, it is unclear whether the family plans to pursue such legal action.
Police say the fatal accident occurred just after the victim stepped off of a bus and began walking home. Seconds after departing the bus, the suspect allegedly slammed into the victim with her car as she was driving off the roadway. According to witnesses, the suspect then went on to strike two fences before colliding with and damaging a nearby home. The victim reportedly died at the scene of the crash. None of the occupants of the home sustained injuries.
One witness told investigators that it appeared as though the suspect suffered a seizure immediately prior to the accident, though that claim has not been confirmed. The suspect suffered minor injuries in the accident and was transported to a nearby medical facility to receive treatment.
According to the victim’s family, the 17-year-old high school junior attended a magnet school where he fostered an interest in engineering. He reportedly wanted to design aircraft in his future and enjoyed drafting blueprints in his free time.
Over 30,000 people were injured on Oregon roadways in 2010, an 8.31 percent increase compared to 2009. While traffic-related fatalities fell by 15.92 percent between 2009 and 2010, hundreds of Oregon citizens still lose their lives due to negligent and unsafe driving every year. Individuals who been injured or lost loved ones in such accidents and believe they may be entitled to compensation should contact an experienced attorney to learn more about their legal options.
Source: Oregon Live, “Aloha woman, 41, faces manslaughter accusation in crash that killed 17-year-old Max McGregor,” Rebecca Woolington, Dec. 12, 2012
