Vacation Turns Fatal on Trip to Mall of America

A vacation turns fatal for a family and friends ending tragically for two couples and their little girls. The families, driving through North Dakota on their way to the Mall of America on December 28, were involved in two separate car accidents. The second accident proved fatal for two victims and left others with injuries.

The families started out by driving in separate vehicles. The first accident happened when a semi truck rear-ended one of the vehicles — thankfully — no one was injured in that crash, but their car sustained significant damage and was no longer safe to drive. The mother and daughter were able to fit in their friend’s SUV while the father hitched a ride, with plans to meet up at a local hotel. The father made it, but the others did not.

He later received a phone call that there had been another accident involving a semi. Tragically, the big rig struck the friend’s vehicle, ultimately causing the death of the friend’s wife and the man’s 3 year old daughter. Three others in the friend’s SUV were hurt, including the man’s wife. The driver escaped with minor injuries, though his own daughter was injured critically. The truck driver was unhurt.

The cause of the second accident is still under investigation. It is unknown if any criminal charges are pending. Weather conditions at the time of the crash were apparently severe, and visibility was reduced due to a blizzard.

Understandably, car accidents can drastically alter the course of a person’s life. These families are left coping with the loss of a loved one while also praying for the recovery of those that were seriously injured. While the weather conditions appear to have been a factor in the fatal accident, drivers are required to operate their vehicles with reasonable care and due regard to the elements. Each family may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit and personal injury claims to try to recover any financial losses they have endured from this incident. If it is documented that the second truck driver negligently caused the fatal crash, the driver and the driver’s employer could be held responsible in a North Dakota courtroom for monetary damages accrued as a result of the tragedy.

Source: winnipegfreepress.com, Little girl’s organs a gift to other kids after road tragedy, Mike Mcintyre, Jan. 4, 2014.