A crash authorities are calling a “senseless tragedy” has led to the death of a toddler, according to local sources. Ohio police in East Cleveland responded to the crash that also sent a driver and an adult passenger to the hospital. Police believe, as with many car accidents, this one may have been predicated by drug and/or alcohol use, though no charges have been filed at this time.
Details are sparse at the moment, but it has been confirmed that the accident happened around 1:40 a.m. on May 17. A sedan carrying three people was traveling on Shaw Avenue when the driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle. The car veered off the roadway before striking a tree at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. The driver, a 60-year-old, as well as a 49-year-old passenger and a 1-year-old child were all taken to a local hospital. The child was later pronounced dead.
The conditions of the adults in the car are not known at this time, but police believe the driver may have been drunk and/or high at the time of the crash. They are pursuing this line of investigation. The passenger may also be culpable in the death of the child, as the toddler was sitting in the passenger’s lap when the crash occurred.
Of course, the death of a child is a horrific tragedy, and it is possible the driver will face jail time if he or she is found guilty of drunk driving. Separately, in car accidents of this type, the family of the child may choose to file a wrongful death suit against the driver and possibly the passenger as well for their roles in the child’s death. These suits are considered civil in nature and are handled by the appropriate Ohio courts.
