A 20-year-old motorist was charged with intoxication manslaughter, authorities say
PAMPA, TX, (September 20, 2024) - A deadly two-vehicle collision occurred Friday evening at the intersection of U.S. Highway 60 and Cuyler Street in Gray County's Pampa, according to police.
Erik Monserrat Hernandez, 20, was charged with intoxication manslaughter following a deadly two-vehicle wreck in Pampa Friday evening, according to authorities.
The fatality victim, operating one of the cars, has been identified as an 18-year-old woman.
Authorities did not reveal the exact circumstances surrounding the deadly wreck that happened around 6:09 p.m. The driver of the second vehicle—20-year-old Erik Monserrat Hernandez—was arrested and booked into the Gray County Jail on a charge of “intoxication manslaughter.”
The Pampa Police Department is investigating.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Although only 2% of motor vehicle accidents are head-on in the United States, they account for over 10% of all crash-related fatalities. The NHTSA also reports that in 2019, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 28% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities.
Candice Bond, an experienced auto accident attorney, said in cases such as this, it is imperative to have an independent probe conducted into the crash by a seasoned lawyer to protect the rights of the victim’s family.
“Time is of the essence in cases such as this, and the family of the victim must ensure that evidence is reviewed efficiently,” said Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of the victim may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this incident.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline.
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected.”
If you or a family member have been involved in a situation similar to this article and would like to speak to our national legal analyst Candice Bond free of charge, please use the contact information found on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).