A police chase always presents an element of danger to everyone involved and/or to others in or near the roadway. Illustrating this fact is a police chase that began in a neighboring state and ended in tragedy in Virginia. The pursued vehicle crossed into the state and caused a head-no accident resulting in fatalities. The investigation is ongoing.
The police pursued the pickup truck, and when the vehicle crossed into Virginia, officials from the neighboring state followed proper procedure and halted their pursuit. The pickup truck continued into Virginia on U.S. 220 South. Unfortunately, the driver was in the southbound lane, traveling north, and slammed head-on into another vehicle.
The driver of the pickup truck ended up being thrown partway out of his vehicle, but that was not enough to save him as the truck was engulfed in flames that reportedly reached a height of 20 feet. His body was so badly burned that authorities were unable to identify him. The driver of the other vehicle also died in the crash. Officers from the Virginia State Police are not yet aware of why the pickup truck driver was being pursued by officers from Rockingham County, North Carolina.
Why he was being pursued may be of no concern to the family of the woman who died in this crash. All they know is that a member of their family was taken from them. When auto accidents involve fatalities, the surviving family members of the victims retain the right to file wrongful death claims against the party or parties deemed responsible for the death. The damage done to the family by losing a loved one is immeasurable; however, if negligence is proved, a civil court may award restitution for the financial losses incurred as the result of a fatal accident.
Source: martinsvillebulletin.com, UPDATE: One accident victim identified, No author, Jan. 10, 2014