When returning from local wineries and while making a U-turn on Route 48 and Depot Lane in Cutchogue, a limousine was struck by a pickup truck driven by an allegedly drunk driver. According to The Suffolk Times, the driver was speeding, and his truck t-boned the limousine on Saturday, July 18, shortly after 5:00 p.m. All of the girls riding in the limousine were between the ages of 23 and 25. One of the girls was getting married, and they went on an outing to local wineries to celebrate. Ironically, they were careful to rent a limousine, so they would be safe and not need a designated driver. However, three women died at the scene and one died later at the hospital. Two helicopters came to the accident scene and police closed off the area for several hours after the accident. Read More The limousine driver attempted to make a U-turn in a spot that neighborhood residents had long considered to be dangerous. According to a Newsday article, residents worried about this location because of vineyard bound limousines making U-turns when there was oncoming traffic. From a legal perspective, multiple parties may be at fault for causing or contributing to the accident. Clearly, if actually drunk and convicted of DWI, the truck driver would be at fault. However, if the limo driver was making an illegal or unsafe U-turn, negligence may be a factor, in which case the driver and limo company could be liable. Another possible factor is whether limousines meet tough enough safety standards to protect passengers against this type of accident, in which case liability would lie with the manufacturer. If the county was negligent about taking actions to make this road intersection safer, then the county government may be liable.If you suffered injury in a serious accident or lost a loved one, seek legal help as soon as possible. Through a free consultation, our attorneys at Palermo Tuohy Bruno can discuss and evaluate your case. Unless we recover through settlement or verdict, you owe no fees. A Fatal Car Accident Tragically Ends the Lives of Four Young Women in Suffolk County Cutchogue Long Island Limo Crash- Southold Businessman charged with DWI
