A deadly accident took the life of a Pennsylvania police officer on Sunday, July 8. The fatal accident happened on I-95 when the officer was riding home early that morning after a work shift. What resulted was a tragedy that no one ever hopes to experience.

Another vehicle was on the road at the same time, but was heading in the wrong direction. The wrong-way driver struck the officer’s motorcycle head-on. The officer was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. A witness recounts that the driver was standing next to his car with his back to the accident, visibly upset.

The driver sustained injuries requiring surgery. He has been charged with third-degree murder, DUI and various related offenses. The deceased police officer left behind a wife and three children.

While the accused man could spend many years in a Pennsylvania prison if he is convicted of the charges filed against him, it does not help the family bring their loved one back. In cases like this, the family of a victim may wish to hold the responsible driver further accountable for his or her actions. A family may wish to assess their right to file a wrongful death civil action against a driver for negligent and perhaps reckless conduct in causing the fatal accident.

While little can ease the grief this family must feel for the loss of this husband and father, a successful claim may help assign accountability and serve as a message that drunk driving will not be tolerated on Pennsylvania roadways.

Source: NBC 10 Philadelphia, “Woman Saw Fatal Philly Police Crash: “It Was The Scariest Thing I’ve Ever Seen”,” Karen Araiza, July 10, 2012