A car accident can have life-altering consequences for everyone involved. It can also lead to criminal charges, as a recent case out of Colorado Springs shows.
A jury convicted the driver involved in a tragic accident in which Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers’s son in law was killed, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.
Prosecutors said Jeffrey Sloan was driving a stolen Jeep and ran a red light at 61 miles per hour when he slammed into an Uber vehicle, injuring local dentist Mark Karla. The husband of Suthers’ daughter Alison, Karla died from his injuries several weeks later. The Uber driver, Yasir Hasan, was also killed in the crash.
Sloan was convicted on two counts each of assault in the first degree, vehicular homicide, and failure to fulfill duties after involvement in an accident involving death. He has yet to be sentenced.
Karla, who was 45 years old at the time of the accident, was returning home following a Garth Brooks concert.
Police officers said they found Sloan’s jacket, cell phone and DNA traces in the Jeep that caused the accident, which had been stolen. Although his lawyers argued that another, unidentified man had taken the car after Sloan initially stole it, prosecutors pointed out that records showed that the password-protected phone was used to communicate with Sloan’s girlfriend shortly before the crash.
Legal Rights for the Family of People Killed in Car Accidents
Karla’s tragic death is an example of the kinds of cases in which prosecutors may pursue criminal charges stemming from a car accident.
No matter whether those charges are filed, however, the family of a person who is killed in a car crash has the right to seek compensation from those responsible. Although no amount of money can rewind the clock and bring back your loved one, damages can help ease the financial burden that often comes with losing a family member.
Wrongful death is a legal claim in which the survivors of a person killed in an accident seek to hold those responsible for the accident liable. The money damages involved in these cases include compensation for loss of income, burial expenses and other impacts of the person’s death. Additional compensation may also be available for pain, suffering, emotional distress and the loss of a spouse’s companionship.
Speak with a Denver Car Accident Attorney
If you have lost a loved one in a car accident in Colorado, it is vital that you seek the counsel of a seasoned Denver accident attorney.
At Levine Law, our personal injury lawyers combine decades of experience helping people injured in car and other accidents get the money they deserve. We are committed to guiding clients through the legal process with experience and personalized attention.
We are pleased to serve clients throughout Colorado, including in Denver, Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins and Loveland. Call us at 303-333-8000 or contact us online to speak with our car accident team.
