Woodbury Drunk Driving Accident: Woodbury Drive and Valley Creek Road
The senselessness of driving drunk hit home again this week. As you read this, a 17 year-old Woodbury boy is fighting for his life because a drunk driving, repeat offender struck again. A 16 year-old girl was also injured in the crash.
The teens were riding in the backseat of a friend’s vehicle when they were hit from behind while stopped at the intersection of Valley Creek Road and Woodbury Drive, in Woodbury. The suspected drunk driver may have been traveling as fast as 80 mph before the crash.
Woodbury officers received a complaint of a drunk man leaving a Woodbury restaurant around 6:30 p.m. Before police could attempt to stop the vehicle, it crashed into the teen’s car. The officer did initiate life-saving care to the critically injured boy. Both injured teens were taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
The 17 year-old has been identified as Sean Fitzpatrick. He sustained extensive facial injuries. The suspected drunk driver has been identified as 38-year old Edward Jaworski. Reportedly, he was also driving without a valid license.
The accident is still under investigation by the Woodbury police and the Minnesota State Patrol.
Drunk Driving Penalties
This is a clear example of why stiffer penalties need to be in place to prevent repeat offenders. People who drive drunk are being negligent. According to state laws, anyone injured in a drunk driving accident have the right to sue for compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of quality of life, disfigurement, embarrassment AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES.
Punitive damages may be awarded when the defendant has shown deliberate disregard for the rights and safety of others. It is a way for the legal system to punish behavior to discourage future, similar behavior. A dram shop liability claim may also be filed against the restaurant that served the liquor.
For more information, contact a Minnesota personal injury lawyer with PritzkerOlsen, P.A. We want to help. Consultations are free. Call 612-338-0202 or submit our contact form. We have helped many people receive a degree of satisfaction by holding offenders responsible for their actions.
Tags: Car Accident Lawyer MN, Hit by a Drunk Driver MN Lawyer, Injury MN Lawyer
