Trautman's Conduct Warrants Punitive Damages
Drunk driver kills 1, injures 3 in double hit-and-run accidents in Rochester
With a blood alcohol level of .189 -- nearly 2 and half times the legal limit –Christopher Trautman sped his car through downtown Rochester shortly after midnight on November 27. At Fourth Street and South Broadway, Trautman’s vehicle hit Austin Melville and Christopher Glenski who were attempting to cross the street. Melville, a recent graduate of Winona State University who had dreams of becoming a sportscaster, was killed. Glenski, a student at the University of Minnesota, was left in critical condition. Despite the crash, Trautman didn’t stop.
Four blocks away, he struck and injured two more pedestrians, 23-year-old Rebecca Dass and 30-year old Tum Chan. Trautman ran from the scene but was soon apprehended at a nearby Days Inn.
The 30-year-old Trautman, who has two prior drunk driving convictions in 1998 and 1999, faces 14 criminal charges, including three felony counts of criminal vehicular homicide.
As personal injury trial attorneys with decades of experience representing people injured by drunk drivers, we believe Trautman’s wanton disregard for human life and safety also warrants the application of Minnesota Statutes,Section 169A.76(b)(2006) This law allows victims of drunk drivers to seek punitive damages -- money beyond that which is necessary to compensate the individual for his or her losses. As the term implies, punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer. Depending on the circumstances, these awards can be large.
In making a case for punitive damages, Section 169A.76 allows the victim to introduce evidence of prior convictions for drunk driving. The law also makes it clear that a criminal conviction is not a prerequisite to consideration of punitive damages.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a drunk driver call or email cory.whalen@knowyourrights.com.
Cory P. Whalen
Attorney At Law
Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey
800 Marquette Avenue, Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-333-9782
With a blood alcohol level of .189 -- nearly 2 and half times the legal limit –Christopher Trautman sped his car through downtown Rochester shortly after midnight on November 27. At Fourth Street and South Broadway, Trautman’s vehicle hit Austin Melville and Christopher Glenski who were attempting to cross the street. Melville, a recent graduate of Winona State University who had dreams of becoming a sportscaster, was killed. Glenski, a student at the University of Minnesota, was left in critical condition. Despite the crash, Trautman didn’t stop.
Four blocks away, he struck and injured two more pedestrians, 23-year-old Rebecca Dass and 30-year old Tum Chan. Trautman ran from the scene but was soon apprehended at a nearby Days Inn.
The 30-year-old Trautman, who has two prior drunk driving convictions in 1998 and 1999, faces 14 criminal charges, including three felony counts of criminal vehicular homicide.
As personal injury trial attorneys with decades of experience representing people injured by drunk drivers, we believe Trautman’s wanton disregard for human life and safety also warrants the application of Minnesota Statutes,Section 169A.76(b)(2006) This law allows victims of drunk drivers to seek punitive damages -- money beyond that which is necessary to compensate the individual for his or her losses. As the term implies, punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer. Depending on the circumstances, these awards can be large.
In making a case for punitive damages, Section 169A.76 allows the victim to introduce evidence of prior convictions for drunk driving. The law also makes it clear that a criminal conviction is not a prerequisite to consideration of punitive damages.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a drunk driver call or email cory.whalen@knowyourrights.com.
Cory P. Whalen
Attorney At Law
Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey
800 Marquette Avenue, Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-333-9782
Labels: accident attorney, accident lawyer, Christopher Trautman, drinking and driving, drunk driving, drunk driving attorney, drunk driving lawyer, minnesota drunk driving laws, victims of drunk drivers
posted by Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey at
Thursday, December 09, 2010
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