Taking the night off and having a few drinks in a Wisconsin bar can be a great way to spend a Saturday night. It’s fun and can be a good way to unwind from a hectic work week. When the night out results in a fatal car accident, however, what started as entertainment turns tragic in an instant.
A Wisconsin man who was walking home recently lost his life when he was struck by a vehicle operated by a woman who had just left one bar and was on her way to another. The accident happened about 2 a.m. The man was walking down a snowy road on his way home when he was struck by the woman’s car.
The woman told police that she tried to avoid hitting the man but was unable to do so. She claims to have consumed four drinks at a local bar and was on her way to another bar nearby when the accident occurred. Her blood alcohol level was .136, which is considerably more than is allowed by law if a person is driving. She was charged with several drunken driving offenses.
The man who died was a firefighter who had been with the fire department since 1997. He was recently named deputy chief. He also worked as a member of the street crew for his small Wisconsin town.
Members of the community in which the man lived say he will be greatly missed. His family members may opt to consider a wrongful death lawsuit against the woman allegedly responsible for the car accident that took his life. A successful claim could help provide the resources needed to cover any medical, funeral or other monetary damages associated with this sad event.
Source: Star Tribune, Sheriff: Drunk and driving to 2nd bar, woman hits and kills man in W. Wis., Paul Walsh, Jan. 28, 2014