Alleged drunk driving accident results in fatality

At 4:00 in the morning, the roads are relatively empty. Those traveling may be early morning delivery trucks, third shift workers and the occasional traveler. It is also a time that some late night drinkers head for home.

We don’t know why a Salem woman who admits to drinking decided to drive in the early morning hours last week. However, her decision resulted in a fatal accident in which her passenger was killed on impact.

According to news sources, a 25-year-old Salem woman has been charged with motor vehicle homicide, negligent operation and operating under the influence of liquor. She admitted drinking, although the news report does not indicate that she was over the blood alcohol limit of 0.08 percent.

The accident took place on Boston Street across the street from the All Star Collision Center. Apparently the 25-year-old veered for some reason, and ran into the back of a flat-bed tow truck. Her passenger, a 19-year-old man from Danvers, was riding in the front passenger seat and was reportedly killed instantly. The 25-year-old was also injured and was taken to an area hospital where she was treated. A blood test is standard procedure at many hospitals, and so her BAC may have been tested at that time.

The 25-year-old is being held in lieu of a $50,000 cash bail.

In a case such as this where there may be negligence on the part of the driver; the family of the deceased may seek to hold the woman, or her insurance company, liable for the man’s wrongful death.

The 25-year-old’s stepmother described the woman as being in shock.

Source: Boston.com,”Salem woman charged in fatal morning crash,” Dan O’Brien, June 17, 2012