An unidentified 50-year-old woman was killed while a 59-year-old man was seriously injured after a hit-and-run crash near Eagle Mountain Lake on late Thursday night, August 19.
The fatal accident transpired at approximately 10:43 p.m. in the 6400 block of Peden Road near Eagle Mountain Lake.
A Ford truck and an ATV were involved in the accident. How the crash occurred has not been established. The driver of the Ford truck did not stop to render aid and drove away from the scene.
A 50-year-old woman inside the ATV was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, a 59-year-old man that was also inside the ATV sustained life-threatening injuries from the mishap. He was immediately taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Local authorities later apprehended the two occupants inside the ATV. 53-year-old Eric G. was charged with an accident involving death, while 47-year-old Danielle G. was charged with tampering with evidence.
Authorities later revealed that the occupants of the ATV and the occupants inside the Ford were neighbors. The case is currently under further investigation.
Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics
Whenever a driver hits another driver, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or bicyclist and leaves the scene of the accident without stopping, a hit and run accident has happened. Drivers are legally required to stop at the scene of an accident and provide contact information. If they don’t, it is a crime within itself.
The Texas Vehicle Code requires drivers to stop after they are involved in an accident involving another person’s injury or death. The driver must give their name, address, vehicle registration information, and other information requested by law enforcement. Unfortunately, hit-and-run incidents are common across the United States. In 2016, there were 2,049 hit-and-run fatalities in the United States. Around 682,000 hit-and-run accidents occur each year in the United States.
The situation in Texas is particularly concerning. Texas has the eighth-highest number of hit-and-run deaths in the country, and the number is rising at an alarming rate. For example, hit-and-run deaths in Texas increased by 30% in just one year, from 2015 to 2016. There are several reasons why hit-and-run drivers flee the scene. They might be intoxicated or impaired by drugs, face legal difficulties, uninsured, or illegal aliens.
Wrongful Death Attorney for Victims of Hit-and-Run Accidents in Tarrant County
You might wonder how your lawyer can find a hit-and-run driver to hold them accountable. The first step is to report the driver to law enforcement. Call 911 right away to report the hit and run accident. The sooner police can begin looking for the driver, the better chances they have of catching them.
Dealing with the death of a loved one after a car accident is already stressful. However, it can even be more overwhelming if a hit-and-run driver is involved. If the perpetrator hasn’t been caught, do not assume that you cannot receive compensation because of that.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your case, you must immediately consult with an experienced attorney to assist you with your wrongful death claim. When you hire a lawyer, you will know that your legal rights are being protected and that they won’t be ignored by a large insurance company with highly trained claims adjusters and lawyers.
Our hit-and-run accident attorneys from Arash Law Texas are here to help victims 24/7. We have collected over 200 million dollars in damages for our clients, and we will fight hard for your right to fair compensation, too. Call (888) 398-4017 or complete our online intake form to schedule your free consultation.