Gwinnett county

Published on: October 5, 2009

Stone Mountain Woman Killed in Accident in Gwinnett County

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 15, 2009

Another Gwinnett County Police Officer Involved in Car Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Last week, we reported on a Gwinnett County police officer who resigned after his involvement in a drunk driving accident. In a similar crash, another off-duty Gwinnett County cop caused a multi vehicle accident in DeKalb on Saturday.

The accident which occurred early Saturday morning involved a Ford Explorer, a Mazda and a Chevrolet van. The three vehicles were stopped at a signal light when off-duty officer Kevin Sipple struck the Ford truck. The impact sent the Ford spinning, hitting the two other vehicles. Sipple and the Ford driver suffered non-life threatening injuries, and were taken to the hospital.

Police say the accident could have been the result of a “medical issue,” but they have not disclosed the nature of the condition.

Published on: September 11, 2009

Gwinnett County Police Officer Arrested after Drunk Driving Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Gwinnett County Police Officer Arrested after Drunk Driving Accident

You would expect a law enforcement officer, who sees the devastation caused by drunk driving accidents everyday, to have a better appreciation for the consequences of these. Not always, it appears. A police officer in Gwinnett County has been arrested for driving under the influence after he caused a minor accident.

The officer James Stoudenmire, was driving a Mustang that rear ended another car stopped at a red light. The passenger in the other vehicle suffered a leg injury. Officers, who responded at the scene, noticed the strong smell of alcohol, and administered a field sobriety test. Stoudenmire was reported "unsteady” during the test. He also confessed that he had consumed four alcoholic drinks. He was charged with DUI and following too closely. Stoudenmire has been placed on administrative leave.

Published on: May 29, 2008

Multi-Million Med Mal Verdict Awarded in Gwinnett County

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Monday a jury in Gwinnett County awarded a plaintiff a five million dollar verdict against the Gwinnett Hospital System for a nursing malpractice.

Plaintiff, Wendy Wyckstandt, 34, returned to the hospital four days after giving birth due to medical complications of postpartum high blood pressure.She collapsed while taking a shower in her hospital room.When her mother entered her room, she found her near lifeless body in the running water. She died a day later; her death caused by drowning.

The nursing staff claimed to have checked on her during the day, but video surveillance proved otherwise.The plaintiff’s attorneys claimed the hospital staff altered records and kept evidence from the plaintiff’s attorneys.Eight years of legal wrangling has finally resulted in a huge verdict award for the plaintiff.The hospital has indicated it will appeal the verdict.