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Two women pushing strollers were struck by a suspected drunk driver in Boone County on September 3rd, according to authorities.
According to police, 54-year-old Kenneth Long was drunk and had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash. Long reportedly struck two women pushing strollers near the intersection of Maple and Wall streets in Advance at about 7 p.m.
47-year-old Melody Thomas and her 23-year-old daughter Jenna Thomas were both pushing strollers, which each carried a toddler. Jenna was also carrying a baby in her arms when the Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Long struck them.
Long attempted to flee the scene, but neighbor David Nickel caught up with the vehicle, removed the key from the ignition, and waited for police to arrive.
All five victims were brought to IU Health-Methodist Hospital. Melody suffered a mild concussion and cuts to her body. Jenna had an elbow injury, along with minor cuts and scrapes. 8-month-old Carson Dillon had facial injuries. The two toddlers from the strollers were not injured but were hospitalized as a precaution.
The three who were injured were listed in stable condition.
According to the preliminary test, Long had marijuana in his system and his blood-alcohol level was .28% – over three times the legal limit. He has been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.
Hi, I’m attorney Jeff Gibson. At Wagner Reese, our personal injury attorneys represent those who have been injured by drunk drivers, helping them secure the financial compensation they deserve. Here is what you should know if you’re curious about your family’s legal options following a drunk driving accident in Indiana:
In Indiana, just as in every other state, people who have been injured by drunk drivers have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against that drunk driver. Additionally, Indiana is one of several states which allow injured people to file lawsuits against an alcohol vendor who provided alcohol to that drunk driver – depending on certain circumstances. This second type of lawsuit is called a “dram shop” claim.
In order to file a dram shop claim in Indiana, the injured person’s legal representation must establish that the alcohol vendor provided alcohol to someone who they knew to be intoxicated at the time, and that this intoxication was a foreseeable cause of the injuries suffered.
For example, if a bartender continued serving the drunk driver even after he or she had started showing visible signs of intoxication, then anyone injured by that drunk driver might have grounds for a dram shop claim against the bar.
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