Long Island man dies in car crash, other driver high

Friday, 01 May 2009

Louis Spero, a 60-year-old man from Riverhead, New York, was killed earlier this week when another driver, Paul Nelson, rear-ended his truck after rapidly switching lanes, The Long Island Press reports. Mr. Spero was not wearing a seat belt and Mr. Nelson was allegedly high on PCP and other drugs.

The accident occurred as Mr. Nelson tried to correct a sudden move from the left lane to the right lane. As he tried to maneuver his vehicle back to the left lane he struck Mr. Spero's truck, causing a rear-end collision.

Mr. Spero was ejected from his truck and died shortly after. Mr. Nelson's vehicle rolled over and came to rest on the median. Authorities declared Mr. Spero dead at the scene and arrested Mr. Nelson on charges of possession of illegal drugs, driving under the influence of drugs and aggravated unlicensed operation.

Though Mr. Nelson clearly holds the bulk of the responsibility for the accident, Mr. Spero probably could have prevented his death by wearing a seat belt.

You would be hard pressed to find a New York auto accident attorney who would advise against wearing a seat belt at all times while in a moving vehicle. Thousands of people die needlessly each year in auto accidents in which a seat belt could have saved their lives.

Mr. Spero's family will likely seek out a New York auto accident attorney to seek compensation for their loss. Unfortunately, they would probably still have their family member with them if he had taken the simple precaution of buckling his seat belt.