On Dec. 19, a moped was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Charlotte, and one of its two riders died as a result. Authorities reported that a 46-year-old man was later taken into custody in connection with the incident.
The 46-year-old man was allegedly driving a 2011 Infiniti on Old Statesville Road when he struck the back end of the moped, which was carrying a 19-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman. The moped reportedly became stuck on the front of the Infiniti, causing the two riders to be thrown onto the ground. According to officials, the driver of the Infiniti failed to stop and left the scene. He reportedly parked the Infiniti at a business located approximately one mile away from the accident site before continuing to flee on foot. After identifying and locating the 46-year-old man, officials reportedly took him to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening.
The a 19-year-old man was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The 22-year-old woman was pronounced dead following the crash.
Drivers involved in any sort of traffic accident in which people are significantly or fatally injured must remain at the scene according to the law. Drivers who neglect this legal requirement subject themselves to criminal prosecution as well as costly civil action. If the hit-and-run incident proves to be fatal, the decedent’s loved ones who qualify to file a wrongful death claim in civil court may seek to hold the negligent driver accountable for financial damages deriving from the accident as well as noneconomic damages related to the sudden death of their loved one.
Source: FOX 8, “Car slams into moped, killing one, injuring another in NC“, December 21, 2014