Police Suspect Alcohol at Play in Fatal Crash
Minneapolis Police say they believe alcohol was a factor in a fatal, two-vehicle crash about 4:30 a.m. Thursday morning at a stoplight on Hiawatha Avenue.
The Star Tribune quoted Police Department spokesman Sgt. Bill Palmer as saying that a car driven by a 21-year-old man was stopped at a red light and was struck from behind by another car. The collision caused fire to erupt in the first car and the 21-year-old driver was found dead in the vehicle. His name has not been released.
The driver of the second car — a 33-year-old man – was arrested on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation, Palmer said. Toxicology reports on the suspect aren’t expected to be complete for more than a week. Meanwhile, no charges have been filed.
Under Minnesota Statute, Section 169A, it is a violation of Minnesota law to drive with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more. If someone violates this law, it is prima facie evidence of negligence in a civil case (Minnesota Statutes, Section 169.96 (2006). In a civil action against a drunk driver, the injured party can ask for punitive damages, which, depending on the circumstances, can be significant.
The car accident lawyers at PritzkerOlsen Attorneys are deeply experienced in representing car accident victims and their survivors. Very often, our investigators find a dram shop claim is part of an auto accident case. When a dram shop claim is part of a fatal car accident case, our lawyers know how to fight for fair compensation.
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