Colorado wrongful death: Street race turned fatal

Unfortunately, street racing in Colorado can often lead to injuries and death. When the party deemed responsible loses his or her life during a car accident, many believe that all hope of justice is lost. This is a misconception. Those victimized, including the surviving families of any that were also killed, retain the right to pursue wrongful death claims against the estate of the deceased where the evidence suggests that negligence led to a tragic outcome for another.This may be the case after a recent car crash that claimed the life of a woman and a street racer. Upon preliminary investigation, Colorado police indicate that the street racer was driving east on a main road. The driver lost control of the vehicle and struck another oncoming car driven by an older woman. The woman died on impact. The street racer was later declared dead at a local hospital.It is unclear what caused the street racer to lose control of the vehicle, though excessive speed is a likely factor. The incident is still being investigated, and the authorities are attempting to locate the other driver involved in the street race. It was not indicated if the other car was involved in the actual crash.As the authorities continue to investigate the fatal car crash, more details may become available. Should it be determined that the driver’s negligence played a causal role in the accident, the surviving family members of the deceased are entitled to pursue a wrongful death suit against the street racer’s estate and any separate owner of the vehicle involved. Colorado law typically allows surviving family this path of legal recourse in the event that a negligent party does not survive a serious car accident. Moreover, the second street racer may be added as a defendant.Source: ABC 7 News, “Street racing blamed for deadly crash in Colorado Springs,” Deb Stanley, June 24, 2013