Drunk Driver Kills Female Passenger and State Police K-9 Officer
A drunk driver will now serve a minimum of 17 years in prison for causing the death of a passenger of his vehicle as well as a Michigan State Police K-9 officer.
Sakyra Benson was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Henri Brown, who was driving under the influence the night of the fatal accident. As Brown was driving, he failed to notice a Michigan State Police trooper, causing him to rear-end the trooper’s vehicle.
The crash killed Sakyra Benson and Rex, a K-9 Officer.
It was revealed after the fatal accident that Brown had five previous drunk driving convictions.
Fatal Drunk Driving Accidents in Michigan
Impaired drivers are a risk to themselves and every driver on the road. It is not only a crime to drive while under the influence, but it can lead to devastating fatal accidents. According to data released by Michigan State Highway Patrol, there were 261 accident fatalities related to alcohol impairment in 2019.
While the legal system has criminal penalties that will punish the intoxicated driver, people often forget that the civil courts function to make the victim whole by providing financial compensation for injured victims and their families.
After a serious drunk driving accident resulting in injury, the victim must pay for the damage to their car, medical bills, and any other financial losses they suffer. Their injuries may require future medical costs and impact their ability to work if there are mobility issues, limitations, or paralysis. When the victim is concerned with medical bills, loss of income, and their family’s financial well-being, they cannot focus on their physical recovery.
Filing a claim for compensation for their injuries allows the victim and their family to focus on moving forward and not on how the accident has negatively impacted their lives.
How Our Legal Team Can Help You
Our legal team will investigate your case to prove that the intoxicated driver was negligent when they hit you and caused your injuries. Our team will review your case to find any other liable parties and may utilize the following techniques and tools:
- Our medical specialists can review your injuries and medical records to assist attorneys with accurate current and future medical cost estimates.
- Request and review all police accident reports.
- Review all blood alcohol and toxicology reports.
- Get witness statements and track down additional witnesses.
- Subpoena video from a bar or restaurant where the drunk driver was drinking before the crash.
- Subpoena videos of the accident from the police vehicles that responded to the scene.
- Review and request traffic light videos and surveillance from surrounding buildings near the accident.
- Subpoena and review the 911 call made after the accident.
- Perform accident reconstruction.
Additionally, we can hire experts to review toxicology and accident reconstruction to prove your case.
Michigan Dram Shop Laws
Michigan has dram shop laws, a lawsuit filed against a bar, restaurant, or establishment that sold alcoholic drinks to the intoxicated person that caused the accident. Other parties may be liable as well, including the host of a party or event where alcohol was served. If they drank at multiple places before the accident, an attorney will investigate which establishment provided the alcohol to the person even though they were visibly intoxicated. Witnesses from the bar or party can be interviewed to establish all liable parties.
Dram shop laws require that you notify the bar, restaurant, club, or host in writing about the claim within a specific time. If you do not give proper notice, it can destroy your claim. Due to this time restriction, you should immediately call Charles Boyk Law Offices to begin working on your case.
Contact an Attorney for Guidance After an Auto Collision
When you or a loved one is seriously injured in an alcohol-related accident, you need an attorney with experience handling these complex cases. At Charles Boyk Law Offices, we have the resources and expertise to investigate your claim.
Contact us today for a free consultation, so we can review your case and answer any questions you may have.
