Milton Patterson was struck by motorist Ronald Matthew Torres on October 23, 2009, in West Jordan, Utah, and died a week later from his injuries. According to the Deseret News, Patterson was first rear ended by Torres on Bangerter Highway around 11 p.m at the intersection of Bangerter and 4700 South. After the crash, Patterson got out to inspect the damage. It was at that point that Torres allegedly backed up and swerved around Patterson’s car, striking him in the process and inflicting him with a severe brain injury, facial fractures and respiratory problems. He was taken to Intermountain Medical Center, but died a week later from those injuries, according to charging papers.
I’m not sure why it took over nine months, but Torres is now finally being charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, a third-degree felony, negligent homicide, a class-A misdemeanor, driving with measurable controlled substance in his body, a class-B misdemeanor, as well as other misdemeanor charges. According to reports, police were able to determine that Torres had visited a liquor store that night where he purchased rum. Police also believe he was smoking marijuana as well. Court records show that Torres has pleaded guilty in the past to two DUI charges.
I hope they throw the book at him. I mean, he was first a victim at the stop light when this guy, who from the sound of it was driving impaired, rear ended him. Then, when he is surveying the damage and seeking to get information from the other guy, gets run over! All this in an effort by the other guy to avoid responsibility and potentially evade being charged with another DUI! Well, it didn’t work! How much better off would everyone have been, if Torres immediately accepted responsibility for his actions!!
From a civil point of view, in a wrongful death case such as this, the family of the victim has a claim against the at-fault driver and/or his insurance and potentially against their own insurance company for “under-insured” coverage. In case they haven’t done so already, I would urge the family members: the spouse, parents and/or children (if applicable) to contact an experienced Utah wrongful death attorney to find out the host of remedies that might be available to them.