A Georgia family is mourning the death of a 20-year-old woman who was struck and killed on a highway as she stopped to help another driver.
The woman was traveling north on Interstate 85 near the Pleasant Hill Road off-ramp in Duluth when she spotted a car that had crashed into the median wall.
Police said their preliminary investigation showed that a 64-year-old man driving a Ford Explorer crashed into the wall, and the young woman stopped to help the driver. A 27-year-old man in a Ford Fusion happened upon the scene of the accident and was unable to brake in time. He hit the stranded Explorer.
The woman was standing in the path of the Explorer and was hit by that car.
The driver of the Fusion traveled a half mile before he stopped to call for help, according to the police report. He faces numerous charges, including first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI less safe and reckless driving.
The woman was a sophomore in community college.
“[The victim] was just starting her adult life, studying psychology and medicine in college because she wanted to spend her life helping others,” her aunt posted to social media. “Her and her boyfriend were planning their future. Now, she’s gone because of one person’s bad decision to get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated.”
Her family also will face costs related to her death and deserve to pursue compensation for their financial losses, as well as their loss of her companionship.
Those facing similar circumstances may choose to pursue a path to civil justice through the Georgia civil court system.
