One Dead, Three Hurt in Suspected DWI Crash on Long Island Expressway in Queens

One man was killed and three other people were hurt in a recent single-vehicle accident on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. The crash occurred around 4 am after 39-year-old Ricardo Rivas reportedly drove his eastbound Ford Explorer into a concrete median near the 108th Street exit. As a result of the impact, the vehicle purportedly flipped and landed on its roof. Following the accident, emergency rescue crews reportedly transported 27-year-old Carlos Rivas to Booth Memorial Hospital where he later died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the wreck. Three other passengers who were also riding in the Explorer at the time of the collision were allegedly hospitalized in stable condition.

Local police are currently investigating the exact cause of the crash. After the accident, the driver of the Explorer was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated. He was later charged with negligent homicide, vehicular manslaughter, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to the nation's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 10,000 Americans died in an accident that involved an inebriated motorist in 2010. During the same year, more than 1.4 million Americans were arrested for driving while impaired. On average, 30 people are reportedly killed in a traffic accident that involves alcohol every day throughout the United States. In addition, the annual costs associated with impaired driving wrecks allegedly exceed $51 billion.

Sadly, fatal car accidents like this one happen every day throughout both New York and the nation. Unfortunately, everyone on the roadways is placed at risk when a drunk or otherwise impaired driver gets behind the wheel of an automobile. The victim in an accident with any motorist may suffer a traumatic head or spinal cord injury, broken bones, soft tissue injuries, and even death. If you were injured in a traffic accident that was caused by an allegedly impaired or other driver, you may be entitled to recover damages related to your medical expenses, physical therapy, suffering, pain, any resulting temporary or permanent disability, and more. Since the timeframe during which you may file a personal injury case in New York is limited, you are advised to contact a skilled attorney immediately following any injury accident.

At Korngut Paleudis LLC, our skilled New York personal injury and accident lawyers are available to assist clients who were hurt in a motor vehicle crash. Our committed attorneys are here to help the victims of unexpected car accidents receive the compensation they deserve based upon the severity of their injuries. With more than 45 years of combined experience, our dedicated attorneys represent individuals who are located in New York and New Jersey. To discuss your case with an experienced traffic accident lawyer today, do not hesitate to call Korngut Paleudis LLC at (212) 835-6768 in New York City. You may also contact our hardworking attorneys through the law firm's website.

Additional Resources:

Drunk driver arrested after fatal accident on LIE kills passenger riding shotgun, by Erik Badia, New York Daily News

One Person Dead, 3 Injured In Crash On Long Island Expressway, newyork.cbslocal.com