Three people died and two others were taken to a hospital following a multi-vehicle accident in McLean County. Police on the scene confirmed the crash took place on Kentucky 81, around 11 a.m. on the morning of March 18. As with many motor vehicle accidents, Kentucky authorities are still determining the cause of this crash. No charges have been filed.
What apparently happened?
According to the limited information in the report, it appears an SUV was headed northbound at the same time a dump truck was headed south when the accident occurred. It is unclear at this time which driver encroached on the oncoming lane, but the result was that both vehicles sideswiped one another. This caused the SUV to enter the southbound lanes.
The SUV struck a southbound vehicle, killing the SUV driver outright. A woman and child in the vehicle were also killed in the impact. Two other people in the SUV were rushed to local hospitals with unknown injuries. The dump truck driver escaped injury, and the status of the individual or individuals in the southbound vehicle is unknown at this time.
Potential legalities post-accident
Depending on the outcome of the Kentucky police investigation, charges could be filed against the dump truck driver if it is determined that he or she was materially responsible for the crash. Should the evidence suggest the deceased driver was in the wrong, criminal charges are not filed posthumously. However, in either case, the families affected are entitled to file wrongful death and/or personal injury suits in Kentucky civil court. Motor vehicle accidents causing injury or death are often the subject of civil suits that can see the court award damages to the grieving families and the survivors with injuries.
