NORTH CHARLESTON— William Bennett, age 56, of Summerville, died Monday morning after a vehicle struck him on the Don Holt Bridge.
North Charleston Police Department said the crash occurred around 7:45 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 526 near the North Rhett Avenue exit. Authorities reported Bennett was the driver of a disabled tractor-trailer. He stepped off or fell backward from the truck door. At that moment, a vehicle hit him and fled the scene.
Emergency responders pronounced Bennett dead at the scene.
Officials later located the driver involved. The driver is cooperating with investigators, authorities said.
The investigation is ongoing, according to the North Charleston Police Department and the Charleston County Coroner’s Office.
William Bennett tragically killed in North Charleston hit-and-run accident
FATAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
2049 people were killed by hit-and-run crashes in 2016 — a 62 percent increase from 2009, the last year in which a downward trend was recorded. AAA said the data makes 2016 the deadliest year since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began compiling statistics on fatal motor vehicle crashes in 1975.
Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney, said in cases such as this it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney in a timely manner to protect a victim’s rights.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important in order to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence,” said Bond, a Managing Partner of Bond Legal. “Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined. These procedures are necessary for helping someone who has lost a loved one at the hands of a hit-and-run driver receive the justice and monetary compensation that they deserve.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, the family of William Bennett may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, the loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person’s death,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”
If your loved one has been killed by a hit-and-run driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analyst Candice Bond today
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
