Unlicensed SUV driver faces multiple charges related to Sunday's fatal crash, authorities say
WILLIAMSBURG, NY, (September 01, 2024) - A 46-year-old bicyclist was fatally struck by an allegedly impaired driver in Williamsburg Sunday morning, according to the New York Police Department.
Lewis Mendez, 46, lost his life after being hit by a driver suspected of being under the influence of drugs in Williamsburg Sunday morning, according to police.
A Volkswagen Tiguan was traveling north on Union Avenue around 11:30 a.m. when its driver hit a parked Toyota Highlander and Toyota Camry near Lynch Street, cops said. The Volkswagen continued north and crashed into the cyclist, who was riding in the same direction. The Volkswagen then slammed into two more parked cars.
The bicyclist, identified by cops as Lewis Mendez, died from injuries at Kings County Hospital.
The Volkswagen driver, who did not have a license, was arrested on multiple charges, including vehicular manslaughter and driving while under the influence of drugs.
Authorities are investigating.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
When a driver is under the influence, they can suffer from a lack of judgment, impaired vision, reduced coordination, and delayed reaction time.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 854 cyclists died in accidents with motor vehicles, accounting for 2 percent of traffic fatalities.
“Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable on the road, and many factors can contribute to serious crashes,” said Candice Bond, a Managing Partner with Bond Legal and an experienced bicycle accident attorney.
“It is imperative to come to a determination of the exact cause of these types of accidents. An attorney has the resources to review applicable insurance coverage, hire expert witnesses, run background checks, and locate witnesses. We carefully guide the family of the victim through the process.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of any investigations, the family members of Lewis Mendez may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Survivors of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this incident.
Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal, said, “Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights.”
“An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource to help guide a family during this difficult time, and ensure that those left behind receive the restitution they are entitled to.”
If your loved one has been killed by a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica today
(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).