Wrongful Death

Published on: October 15, 2009

Three Killed in Stone Mountain Freeway Van Accident

Three Killed in Stone Mountain Freeway Van Accident

At least three people, all employees of Georgia Power, were killed in a deadly van accident on Stone Mountain Freeway on Tuesday afternoon. Six other people have sustained critical injuries.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a van with 9 people inside was struck by a Dodge Stratus, which clipped the van when it tried to make a lane change. The van flipped over from the impact, and was severely damaged. Emergency crews had to cut through the roof of the van to rescue the victims trapped inside. The critically injured were rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital and Atlanta Medical Center.

Published on: October 13, 2009

Gwinnett County Cop Arrested for DUI Also Involved in Wrongful Death Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Gwinnett County Cop Arrested for DUI Also Involved in Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Last month, we reported on a Gwinnett County police officer arrested after being involved in a DUI accident. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, it now turns out that police officer James Stoudenmire had also been involved in another fatal accident, which has resulted in a wrongful death lawsuit against the County.

On December 15^th 2006, Stoudenmire, according to the lawsuit, was traveling on US 78 at a speed of between 78 to 80mph. The lawsuit alleges that he was driving with no sirens or flashing lights when he crashed his car into another vehicle, being driven by Willie Allen Sergeant Jr. Stoudenmire at the time was responding to a code three call. Officers responding to a code three call must obey speeds limits, and all traffic control devices. The crash killed Sergeant, and his family in December 2008 filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Gwinnett County.

Published on: October 5, 2009

Stone Mountain Woman Killed in Accident in Gwinnett County

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Stone Mountain Woman Killed in Accident in Gwinnett County

A woman was killed in a head-on accident over the weekend near Lilburn in Gwinnett County. According to news reports, the woman was driving a Ford Escort, when she crossed a center line, and rammed into an oncoming Chevrolet. The woman, who has been identified as Maureen Kalkstein was rushed to the hospital, but was declared dead.

According to Gwinnett County police, Kalkstein was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. In 2009 alone, Gwinnett County has seen 37 people dying in accidents. Out of those, 6 involved motorcyclists and pedestrians. The remaining 31 people were killed in auto accidents, and out of these, 14 were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Published on: September 22, 2009

Questions Remain After Child’s Death in Atlanta School Bus Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Questions Remain After Child’s Death in Atlanta School Bus Accident

Earlier this week, a 5-year-old boy was killed when he was run over by a school bus. The driver of the bus has now been charged with homicide by vehicle second degree.

On Tuesday afternoon, Everett Johnson had just gotten off his school bus. According to witnesses at the accident site, Everett was walking in front of the bus, and dropped his book and bag. He was bending over to pick them up when he was struck by the bus, which had begun to move forward. Everett came under the right front tire. He was rushed to the hospital, but died later.

Published on: September 21, 2009

Increase in Fall Accident Fatalities is Disturbing

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Increase in Fall Accident Fatalities is Disturbing

Researchers at the John Hopkins School of Public Heath have found a sharp increase in the number of fatalities from accidental falls and poisonings, between 1995 and 2005.

These increases were part of a larger overall pattern, in which the number of people who died from unintended accidents increased by 11 percent over the study period. The study found increases in other unintended accident fatalities including drowning accidents, and deaths from burns and suffocation. However, it’s the increase in mortality rates from accidental poisonings and falls, that has drawn the highest attention.

Published on: September 16, 2009

Georgia Family Battles Over Wrongful Death Damages

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia Family Battles Over Wrongful Death Damages

The parents of a teenager who died in an accident involving a police car in 2007, is likely to appeal his wrongful death verdict in the Georgia Supreme Court, in a case that has received nationwide attention for its unusual nature.

In October 2007, 16-year-old Byron Trent Pyles died in a car crash involving a police car. His parents, Rebecca Lynne DeVent and Byron Keith Pyles filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Henry County against the Locust Grove police officer involved in the accident, and the police department.

Published on: September 3, 2009

One Killed as SUV Crashes into Douglasville Home

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

One Killed as SUV Crashes into Douglasville Home

You don’t expect to be struck by a car when you’re safely ensconced in your own home. But that’s exactly happened to Douglasville-resident George Michael Bryant.

The 60-year-old man was in his house watching a movie on Saturday night with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren, when an SUV crashed into their house. Bryant suffered massive injuries and died. His wife, daughter and grandchildren are being treated at local hospitals.

Published on: September 1, 2009

Child Killed in Douglas County Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Child Killed in Douglas County Accident

A 4-year-old boy has been killed and other members of his family, including his mother, have been seriously injured in an accident in Douglas County earlier last week.

According to Georgia State Patrol, a Pontiac Bonneville crossed the center line, and crashed into a Toyota Corolla on Monday. Two children, including 4-year-old Luke Ingalsbe were sitting in the backseat of the Toyota. Luke sustained fatal injuries. Luke’s mother, his infant brother Jacob, and a front seat passenger were seriously injured. The driver of the Pontiac sustained minor injuries. Investigations into the accident are going on.

Published on: August 19, 2009

Elderly Lexington Couple Mauled to Death in Dog Attack

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Elderly Lexington Couple Mauled to Death in Dog Attack

Mystery still surrounds the death of a retired professor and his wife, apparently from a vicious dog attack.

On Saturday, the mutilated bodies of retired UGA professor 77-year-old Luther Karl Schweder, and his wife 65-year-old Sherry were found near their home in Lexington. Preliminary autopsies showed that Sherry had died from dog bite injuries. Her husband’s autopsy results are not yet available. But it’s very likely that Luther Schweder also died from injuries in the dog attack.

Published on: August 7, 2009

Deadly Motorcycle Accident in Atlanta Kills One Person

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A multi-vehicle accident on Interstate-285 in DeKalb County on Wednesday left a motorcyclist dead, and 5 other people injured. According to DeKalb County police, the accident was set off by an SUV driver who entered the highway without slowing for traffic.

The driver seems to have set off a chain reaction that led to an 18 wheeler, striking a group of motorcyclists. A 54-year-old motorcyclist has been killed, and one other motorcycle rider has sustained serious injuries. Three motorcyclists and the SUV driver have sustained moderate injuries. The accident involved three motorcycles, two SUVs and two 18 wheelers.

Details are still coming in, but it seems like that the motorcycles involved in the accident were participating in the National Biker Round-up. It was the second day of the bike fest, and the event which is hosted by the Georgia biker community, is expected to continue for about a week, ending on Sunday.