14-year-old boys dies after Wednesday night accident along Interstate 10
ESCAMBIA, FL, (November 06, 2024) - A 14-year-old boy tragically died days after a Wednesday night two-vehicle collision involving an alleged impaired motorist in Escambia County.
Shawn Wilber was charged with vehicular homicide after a Wednesday night two-vehicle accident along Interstate 10 in Escambia County fatally injured a 14-year-old boy.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), 49-year-old Shawn Wilber of Daphne, Alabama, was behind the wheel of a Dodge Ram pickup truck heading westbound along Interstate 10 when he crashed into a Toyota shortly after 9 p.m.
A 14-year-old passenger in the Toyota was critically injured and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he sadly died on Saturday.
Four adults and a second juvenile traveling in the Toyota all sustained minor injuries.
Authorities say charges against Wilber were upgraded to vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter following the boy's passing.
DUI ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Despite crackdowns throughout this country, impaired drivers remain a threat to innocent, law-abiding victims.
The consumption of alcohol can diminish the ability to operate a motor vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 8,174 of the 42,915 fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2021 involved alcohol.
An independent investigation will be required to learn other potential factors in the case such as blood-alcohol content levels.
Candice Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney, was interviewed and provided her thoughts on incidents such as this.
“Separate from criminal charges, a victim may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party, said Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal. “In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide an injured victim during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights, while ensuring that a driver who takes the wheel under the influence is held accountable for their actions.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of the victim may pursue a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.
"In the wake of a catastrophic accident, families deserve peace of mind. Completing an independent investigation while big insurance corporations want to weaken your case requires an attorney with full knowledge of the complex legal process and resources to fight by your side.
"Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is an unimaginable tragedy. While no amount of compensation can bring them back, an experienced attorney can hold responsible parties accountable and help secure justice for your family."
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. 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).