37-year-old man faces charges in 4 deaths

A 37-year-old Florida man was ticketed for careless driving after the Florida Highway Patrol recently decided that he caused a January wreck that killed four people. His car hit another car, which then hit an SUV into a lake off the highway. A mother, her daughter, her nephew and her step-sister lost their lives in the fatal accident. He could be fined up to $1,000, receive possible work-order hours and have his license suspended for a year.

The family had been shopping and was returning home when the accident occurred. All family members died on the scene or within days at medical facilities. Emergency workers didn’t realize that one of the victims was still in the car; she drowned in the lake and was located the next day.

The driver told reporters that he didn’t realize a car went into the water. The driver of the second car will not face charges.

About two weeks after the deaths, the family held a joint celebration to remember their lost loved ones at a local house of worship. Two of the victims, a boy and girl, attended the same high school, and their classmates and teachers came to honor them. The girl was focusing on a career in the medical field, while the boy was involved in sports.

When someone faces possible criminal sanctions after a serious accident, they can still face a civil lawsuit. A personal injury attorney may be able to help file a civil lawsuit on the behalf of family members who died in the accident.

Source: Miami Herald, “Lauderdale Lakes man cited in I-95 accident that killed 4 family members,” Carli Teproff, March 26, 2013