Williamstown, New York - 3 Seriously Injured in Crash with Suspected Drunk Driver Hunter O. Grass

State Police: Drunk Driver Caused Head-On Collision in Oswego County

On Sunday night, three people were seriously injured in a head-on collision allegedly caused by a drunk driver.

State police say that 21-year-old Hunter O. Grass was drunk when he drove his pickup truck off McConnell Road and onto NY-13, colliding head-on with another vehicle. This crash happened at around 8:40 p.m. near the intersection of the two roads.

Grass’ pickup truck struck a Saturn being driven by 31-year-old Joshua E. Carpenter, who had two children in the vehicle as well. All three occupants suffered internal injuries in the crash. The children were ages 7 and 10 years old, and their names have not been released.

Grass fled the scene of the crash and the state police and Onandago County Sheriff’s office spent three hours searching for him before finding him hiding in the bed of a pickup truck on Miller Road in Westdale. He was charged with three counts of second-degree vehicular assault, DWI, and reckless driving.

Legal Options for People Injured by Drunk Drivers in New York

Attorney contributor Guy D'Andrea helps people who have been injured by drunk drivers recover the financial compensation they deserve. We’ve asked Brian to share some information on the legal options available to those who have been hit by drunk drivers in the state of New York:

In New York and all other states, people who are injured in alcohol-related accidents caused by negligence may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against that person. Additionally, New York is one of several states which allow these individuals to bring lawsuits against third parties (like bars and restaurants) for providing alcohol to the intoxicated person who caused the accident.

This second type of lawsuit is known as a dram shop claim. According to New York General Obligations Law section 11-100, alcohol vendors and social hosts can be held liable for injuries caused by their customers and guests if:

• the vendor or social host “knowingly” caused intoxication or impairment by “unlawfully” providing alcohol, or
• the vendor or social host knowingly caused intoxication or impairment by providing alcohol to someone who they knew or should have known was under 21 years of age

Determining third-party liability in drunk driving cases is complicated and will likely require assistance from an experienced car accident lawyer. You can learn more about your family’s legal options after a drunk driving accident by speaking to one of our experienced attorneys who specialize in dram shop and personal injury cases.

Sources:

https://www.syracuse.com/crime/2019/04/drunk-driver-faces-3-counts-of-vehicular-assault-after-head-on-crash-in-oswego-county.html