Knox County Man Killed in Rollover Crash
Authorities have identified forty-three year-old Jack Stinnett of Knox County as the individual killed in a single-vehicle crash that took place in the Knoxville area late Saturday night. Apparently, Stinnett and two other individuals, including the driver, forty-nine year-old Michael Campbell of Knoxville, were traveling in a Jeep Cherokee when it crashed into a tree, causing it to strike an embankment and flip over before finally coming to rest on its top. According to reports, alcohol and speeding were cited as factors in the crash and charges are currently pending against the driver.
According to automobile safety statistics, more than half of all fatal accidents are single-vehicle accidents. Of these, a great number are caused by alcohol, speeding, or some combination of the two. The unfortunate reality is that the decision to drink and drive or to drive recklessly very often affects persons other than the driver making those decisions in a significant way. In this case, the driver was hospitalized, but likely to survive, while the passenger lost his life as a result of what was reportedly an alcohol-influenced crash.
Tennessee recognizes the danger posed by driving under the influence and such behavior has been automatically deemed negligent driving by state court decisions. Where a plaintiff can prove that the driver was operating under the influence of alcohol then he or she only has to prove causation and damages to make out a prima facie case for recovering for his or her damages. This does not, however, preclude the driver from asserting certain defenses to the claim, such as comparative negligence that might be established by the decision to ride with someone that the passenger knows is intoxicated or under the influence. Thus, Tennesseans who are seeking compensation for their personal injuries or the wrongful death of a family member such as the victims in this case may seek, would be advised to consult a skilled personal injury attorney who can assist them in proving their damages and anticipating the defendant’s defenses.
Source: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/sep/07/kcso-identifies-victim-fatal/?partner=popular
