Charges are being filed against the driver after a car accident in Indiana proved fatal for the passenger in the vehicle.
Single Vehicle Car Accident Proves Fatal
The incident happened in Jennings County, Indiana. Nikki Reed, 37, and Kevin Bell, 39, were driving to Indiana for a birthday party in Reed’s family. When neither of them showed up for the party, Reed’s family members filed a missing person report with the police.
Bell was driving the SUV, when he drove off the road, down a ravine, and crashed into a tree. Bell suffered a broken leg in the accident, but Reed died from the impact.
The crash happened on September 17, 2016. However, Bell claimed that he was unable to extricate himself from the wreckage until three days later, on September 20. He pulled himself up the ravine to the road, where he hailed a passing car and got medical attention.
Charges Filed Against Driver
After the accident, Bell is facing numerous criminal charges for the accident and his statements following the crash.
Bell’s license had been suspended, yet he claimed that he took over the wheel after Reed had gotten tired of driving. According to Bell, the crash happened because of Reed, who had distracted Bell, causing him to run the vehicle off the road.
It was what Bell said after the crash, however, that are the source of some of the other criminal charges that he is facing.
Police want to know why the crash went unreported for three days after it had occurred. Bell did not call 911 to report the accident or the injuries, instead texting “car accident” to his boss. According to Bell, his cell phone died immediately after sending the text, and he could not locate Reed’s phone in the wreckage.
Police also want to know why Bell did not report the death of his girlfriend immediately when he was found on the side of the road, and why he brought two 14-pound bowling balls with him when he pulled himself from the wreck.
The injuries to Reed have been ruled to have been caused by the crash, and not by any foul play afterwards.
Car Accident Attorney in Cobb County
While this particular case has lots of unanswered questions that raise eyebrows, the reality of the case is that someone lost their life in a car accident. There are few things more devastating than when someone dies in a wreck, especially when they are young and have so much of their life ahead of them.
This is why Car Accident attorney Joel Williams represents victims in car crashes. People who are hurt by other drivers deserve to be compensated for their injuries, and the families of those killed should receive what they could have expected from having their loved one in their lives.
If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a car collision, contact the Cobb County law office of Joel Williams for legal representation.
