Young Woman Killed and Three Injured When Driver Flees Police in Columbia, MO

Columbia, Missouri Crash Kills 19 Year Old Woman

Photo: Don Shrubshell- Columbia Daily Tribune

A 19 year-old Columbia woman was killed and three people were injured Saturday night when a car crashed into another car.

According to reports, the 19 year-old woman was a passenger in the vehicle that was fleeing police when it struck another car, and then hit a utility pole. The crash occurred around 8 p.m. near Ash Street and Garth Avenue in Columbia.

The driver of the initial vehicle was a 23 year-old Columbia man. He was reported speeding south on Garth as he attempted to evade a police officer.

The officer reported that he had lost sight of the fleeing vehicle because the man was driving erratically.

The driver of the second vehicle indicated that she was also driving south on Garth and as she prepared to turn left onto eastbound Ash, the fleeing vehicle attempted to pass, struck her vehicle and veered to the left and hit a utility pole. She and her passenger were both injured.

Following such a serious crash, all occupants should involve injury attorneys in addition to the criminal charges for the fleeing driver. A serious motor vehicle accident can occur due to reckless driving, driving under the influence and inattentiveness. Injury attorneys are personal injury attorneys that work to be sure injured individuals obtain the maximum compensation possible. As well, those who have lost a loved one have a potential wrongful death claim. The days and weeks following a serious injury or death are overwhelming. There is no need to go through the process alone.

Criminal Vs. Civil Cases

While some drivers can be criminally charged, often victims have to pursue civil cases in order to be compensated for their damages. Criminal cases are very different from civil cases. For example, a drunk driver may be criminally charged for driving under the influence and being involved in a motor vehicle crash; however, the victims of the car crash can rarely collect compensation directly from the drunk driver through a criminal case.

Driver Charged

As of Sunday, the Boone County’s prosecuting attorney’s office filed murder charges against the 23 year-old driver they say is responsible for the crash that killed the 19 year-old woman and her unborn child. He was charged with two counts of felony-second degree murder and one count of felony resisting arrest. He was injured in the crash and arrested Monday after release from the hospital.

According to the Boone County active cases, the 23 year-old man had four other active cases including felony drug possession, misdemeanor resisting arrest and three misdemeanors for driving with a revoked license.

Injuries and Death Due to Car Crashes

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When a driver makes a negligent driving choice that results in injuries or death to others, it is important to pursue all legal avenues. While criminal charges can be filed and a negligent driver can go through the criminal process, the victims generally have to pursue a civil case in order to recover damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain/suffering.

At The Cagle Law Firm, we represent injured persons of all kinds of motor vehicle accidents. Individuals cannot always do this effectively on their own for a several reasons, 1) they are seriously injured ; 2) filing claims and negotiating with adjusters is not what you do for a living unless you are a personal injury attorney; and 3) represented individuals are offered more than unrepresented injured individuals. Thus, can you really afford not to consult a personal injury attorney?

If you are seeking a divorce, you hire a family law attorney. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you hire an expert car crash attorney, so that all aspects of your case can be handled professionally and correctly from the beginning.

Our attorneys offer free consultations, seven days a week at (314) 276-1681