Short summary: A wrong-way crash on Staten Island's West Shore Expressway killed a 66-year-old man on October 10, and within days, two separate drivers involved in the wreck were charged with DWI. Facing criminal charges generally does not resolve a victim's family's civil claim, since those are two different processes that move on two different clocks.
It happened just before 6 in the morning. A Kia Seltos was heading the right way on the West Shore Expressway when a Range Rover came at it, driving the wrong way down the highway.
The Kia driver, a 66-year-old man from Staten Island, was pronounced dead at the scene. Moments later, a Jeep traveling the same direction plowed into the wreckage, hurting three more people.
Two Drivers, Two Sets of Charges
Police say the Range Rover driver, a 36-year-old woman, is now charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and refusing a breath test. A judge set her bail at $250,000 cash.
The Jeep driver, a 21-year-old woman, was also charged, with DWI and driving while ability impaired. She was released without bail at her arraignment.
Two of the three people hurt, including the Jeep driver, were treated and listed in stable condition.
What Criminal Charges Do and Don't Do for a Family
It's natural to feel like charges mean the case is handled. They are not the same thing as a financial claim.
A DWI conviction generally helps a family prove fault. It does not by itself pay a single medical bill, cover a funeral, or replace lost income. Those come from insurance claims and, where appropriate, a civil lawsuit, filed separately from the criminal case.
When two different drivers are both facing alcohol-related charges from the same crash, a family may be looking at more than one insurance policy. Sorting out who pays what, and in what order, generally takes someone who knows how New York's layered coverage works.
What To Do If You're the One Left Covering the Bills
- Get medical care right away, even if you feel okay. Injuries from a high-speed crash don't always show up immediately.
- Keep a record of every bill, every missed day of work, and every call from an insurance company.
- Be careful before you give a recorded statement. Check out what to know before you talk to the adjuster first.
- Know your no-fault deadline. New York generally gives you a short window to file for no-fault benefits, and missing it can cost you. Here's how that 30-day clock works.
If This Was You
Whether you were a driver, a passenger, or hit by someone else entirely, you have your own timeline to protect. Read what to do after a car accident in New York for the basics, and look into physical therapy options if you're dealing with pain that isn't going away. If your car is out of commission, a rental car may be covered too.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
If the other driver gets charged with DWI, do I still need a lawyer?
Generally, yes. A criminal case is handled by a prosecutor and is about punishing the driver, not paying your bills. Your claim for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering runs on a separate track, and you're the one who has to pursue it.
What if two drivers were both at fault?
New York generally allows a claim against more than one at-fault party when more than one driver contributed to a crash. Figuring out how responsibility is shared between them is exactly the kind of thing worth getting advice on early.
How long do I have to file a claim?
It depends on the type of claim and who is involved, and deadlines vary by situation. That is exactly why it helps to get advice now rather than waiting to see how the criminal case turns out.
Not sure where you stand after a crash? Get your free case review or call (347) 526-1246. A real person answers, 24/7.
Reporting: CBS New York.
