Clarkstown, New York - 1 Dead in Crash With Suspected Drunk Driver on Route 304 and Germonds Road

Drunk Driving Crash Leaves 1 Dead in Clarkstown, New York

According to CBS New York, a two-car accident occurred around 1 a.m. on Sunday when a reportedly drunk driver passed through a red light on Route 304 and Germonds Road. The only victim was an unidentified female who was left severely injured at the scene of the accident. She was transported to a hospital where she later died.

The presumably drunk driver, 22-year-old Michael Mercado, was also taken to the hospital for less serious injuries. He is currently facing charges of vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to submit a breath test.

The police closed down Route 304 while they conducted an eight hour investigation.

Legal Options Available To Victims Injured or Killed By Drunk Drivers in New York

Attorney contributor Laurence Banville of Banville Law represents victims injured by drunk drivers receive the financial compensation they deserve. Mr. Banville offers his professional advice to The Legal Herald on the legal options available to these victims and their families in the state of New York below:

“A victim of a drunk driving accident may learn that he or she has a case for a personal injury lawsuit against the intoxicated driver. Nevertheless, this is not the only route that an injured person or family member related to someone killed by a drunk driver must follow. As a matter of fact, most states (including New York) observe dram shop laws – in which drunk driving victims can actually file a lawsuit against the vendor who sold the alcohol to the reckless driver.”

According to New York’s dram shop laws, an alcohol vendor may be held liable for a drunk driving crash if the vendor sold alcohol to a customer who was:

• actually or apparently under the legal drinking age of 21
• or already visibly intoxicated

A victim of a drunk driving accident may be able to file a drunk driving lawsuit against the vendor if either of these laws are violated and the intoxicated customer then injures someone else.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in New York, you can learn more about your legal options by speaking with an experienced drunk driving crash victims attorney.

Sources:

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/07/07/clarkstown-germonds-road-fatal-crash-dwi/