A 33-year-old Minnesota woman was hit by a truck on June 30 while pulling her two children on a bicycle and was pronounced dead at the scene. According to police, the accident occurred at 11:28 a.m. on Highway 270 in Rock County. Reports said that a truck driven by a 25-year-old man struck the woman while driving east on the highway.
The man was not hurt in the crash, and the woman’s 4-year-old and 1-year-old children did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. Authorities said that the man remained at the scene and helped render emergency aid to the victim.
The driver was taken into custody at the scene of the accident. The news source reported that state police said the man was driving in a ‘grossly negligent manner.” He was booked into Nobles County Jail for criminal vehicular homicide, and formal charges were scheduled to be filed against him on the afternoon of July 1. An investigation into what took place prior to the wreck was ongoing as of July 1.
After fatal incidents that involve bicycle accidents, families of those killed might consider filing wrongful death suits against the drivers suspected of causing the accidents. In this case, if an out-of-court settlement were reached or a jury found him guilty in civil suit, he would likely be held responsible for paying her final expenses. It would also be possible for damages to account for providing for the woman’s children if they depended on her income. Also, punitive damages could be included in any compensation paid to the family.
Source: CBS Minnesota, “State Patrol: Cyclist Hit, Killed While Pulling Children In Rock County“, July 01, 2014