Drunk Driving Alleged Cause of Crossing Center Line

A Charles City, Iowa woman is being accused of homicide for a crash that killed two people and is said to have caused injury to her own child. The child was in her car. The two people killed were in the on-coming vehicle. Those people are 76-year-old Anita Anderson and 77-year-old Chris Anderson.

Iowa’s public court record indicates on September 4, 2021, the accident resulted in two counts of HOMCIDE BY VEHICLE – OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, a class B felony and one count of CHILD ENDANGERMENT, which is an aggravated misdemeanor. The complaint was filed by the Iowa State Patrol. Lindahl is being held without bond. She entered a not-guilty plea on December 30, 2021.

An application for a search warrant was filed on September 16, 2021, likely for cell phone records.

The above comes from the ISP report and the Iowa District Court Docket. What isn’t shown will be the civil case involving the Anderson’s. An estate will be opened for each, and a civil suit filed or settled once the estate executors are appointed. Unless there is something unusual here crossing the center line is an obvious case of negligence. In all negligence cases liability can normally be established by proving the driver violated a rule of the road, such as driving left of center. Being drunk only adds to the civil damages that would be allowed. In the case of drunk driving punitive damages can be awarded.

In any drunk driving case what is as important as the insurance coverage of the at-fault driver, would be dram shop insurance coverage. Where was she drinking? At a bar or tavern? If so, you’d better get the notice served quickly or else the estate loses the right to sue the dram shop. A dram shop is another word for tavern or bar.

CHARLES CITY, IOWA LAWYERS

The Lombardi Law Firm handles personal injury cases all over the State of Iowa. We have over 40-years of civil litigation experience. We are selective about which cases we take. We do not charge to speak with an injured person or their representatives to determine if you have a case and if you do, then if we are the right fit. Call us at 515-222-1110 or email Steve at sdlombardi@aol.com. Call Today!

Attorney Lombardi