Nashville's music media have been covering the ongoing fall-out from a fatal traffic accident involving the bass player for the rock band 3 Doors Down. After the alcohol related accident near Nashville, the band cancelled at least four concerts, including one that had been scheduled for May 4 in Nashville. The bass player also has entered rehab for treatment of drug and alcohol problems after being released from jail following his arrest.
Somewhat lost in this media coverage has been the story of the Nashville man killed in that accident. He was a 47-year-old mechanic, who was admired by neighbors for his work with young people.
The accident happened in April when police allege that the bassist was driving under the influence on Interstate 40 and clipped the back of the mechanic's pickup truck. This collision caused the mechanic to lose control of his vehicle, run into a guardrail, fall down an embankment and flip over, ejecting him from the truck. He was pronounced dead at a hospital soon afterward.
The bass player was booked into jail by Nashville police, who said he admitted to drinking and using prescription drugs before the accident. They also said he had numerous controlled substances on his person at the time of his arrest. He was later released on bail.
Those who are injured in a traffic accident due to the negligent actions of another may be entitled to compensation of their losses through a personal injury lawsuit. Drivers are negligent when they fail to exercise the same level of care as another driver would under similar circumstances and someone is injured as a result. Driving while drunk can serve as evidence of negligence.
The family of a person killed in a drunk driving accident may be compensated for its losses through a wrongful death lawsuit. In these types of claims, the immediate family members of the deceased file a lawsuit on behalf of the victim's estate.
Source: The Tennessean, "3 Doors Down cancels Nashville concert after fatal crash," April 22, 2013