As crowds gathered after the NASCAR race Sunday in Martinsville, a driver in a Chevy SSR Convertible was trying to pass a jeep near bystanders. Instead of using extreme caution and slow speed because of the number of pedestrians close by, witnesses say the driver of the Chevy pulled out to a pass the Jeep and when unsuccessful, careened into a large crowd of people waiting outside of the track to watch drivers take off from the helipad or attempt to get autographs. Investigators have yet to charge the driver who was taken into custody after he injured 22 people. Thankfully most of the injuries were not life-threatening although several people were sent to a local hospital. Alcohol has not been determined to be a factor in the crash.
Unfortunately, crashes like these have become more common in recent years. On August 21,2016 a car crashed into a crowd of people after an outdoor concert in Parma Heights, Ohio. Nine people were hurt in that incident when an elderly woman confused the gas and brake pedals and drove onto an outdoor dance floor and striking a telephone pole.
And in 2007, a horrific local crash in Blackburg, Virginia occurred when a 20 year old intoxicated Virginia Tech student swerved off of the roadway and onto the sidewalk in Downtown Blacksburg. The driver was not only intoxicated but was texting while driving. That crash injured eight people and had no fatalities. Two were seriously injured and sent to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, call The Thomson Law Firm today for a free consultation. (540) 777-4900.
The Thomson Law Firm is currently accepting cases involving:
- Medical Malpractice
- Car Accidents
- Product Liability
- Animal Attacks
- Wrongful Death
If you or a loved one needs to talk to a Roanoke Lawyer, call Paul Thomson for a free case evaluation.
