According to KWWL, police have finally caught up with the woman suspected of leaving the scene of a fatal collision. The accident in question occurred on October 1, when a passenger vehicle failed to yield while making a left turn at 20th Avenue Southwest and C Street in Cedar Rapids and ended up striking a motorcycle.
The motorcyclist, a 63-year-old man, sustained serious injuries that ultimately resulted in his death two weeks later. On November 2, an arrest warrant was finally issued for the motorist allegedly responsible for the incident, and police have since taken the 25-year-old suspect into custody.
They have charged the woman with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Since the vehicle she was allegedly driving when the incident occurred had been reported stolen on September 26, she also faces charges for theft and forgery.
After obtaining the arrest warrant, police found the woman in the Polk County Jail for different charges. They have since transported her to the Linn County Jail.
If you lost a loved one in a hit and run collision and you’re not sure how to proceed, contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC. Your family may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury attorney in Cedar Rapids.
How Do Police Find Motorists Who Leave the Scene of an Accident?
Finding hit-and-run motorists is much like conducting any other criminal investigation in that police will gather evidence at the scene and then use that evidence to piece together what might have happened. When it comes to identifying the actual individual who caused the crash, interviewing witnesses and collecting debris from the scene can prove to be invaluable.
For example, in many jurisdictions, mechanics and body shop owners have a legal obligation to help law enforcement officials with investigations. Fortunately, Body Shop Business reports that most of them are more than happy to do so, especially if the incident involved serious injuries or fatalities.
When police find various car parts scattered at the scene of a hit-and-run accident, they might bring them to a local auto body shop for identification. Depending on the condition of the parts in question, a seasoned mechanic may be able to determine what kind of vehicle they are from, including the make, model, and even the year.
Armed with this information, police can then keep an eye out for cars that fit the description. If any of the parts contained some or all of the vehicle’s VIN number, police can also turn to the Department of Motor Vehicles for assistance finding its registered owner.
If your loved one died in a hit-and-run accident, it is wise to start building your wrongful death claim while police search for the liable party since you only have a limited amount of time in which to file a suit. To discuss your case with an accident lawyer in Cedar Rapids, contact Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC.
Call 319-393-1020 to schedule a free consultation. If you want to learn more about wrongful death claims in Iowa, visit the USAttorneys website.
