Charlestown High School teacher Nicole Keith-Morrison was hit by a drunk driver while walking in front of the high school on Park Street. According to reports, Natalie Miller was the driver of the Pontiac Grand Am that hit Keith-Morrison on Tuesday morning. Keith-Morrison, age 30, suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on her brain, as well as neck and vertebrae injures. She underwent surgery at University Hospital in Louisville and is listed in stable condition. Miller was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle while intoxicated and causing serious bodily injuries. Miller was also charged with operating a vehicle with a minor passenger while intoxicated because her 7-year-old son was in the car with her at the time of the accident.
While some may disagree, if a question remains as to whether a driver or a pedestrian had the right of way, the tie should go to the pedestrian. Even with the right of way, drivers still should use extra caution when passing through a school zone, crosswalk or other areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
Miller and all drunk drivers certainly bear responsibility for their actions and often times the consequences of drunk driving are tragic. While the drunk driver is always primarily responsible, in certain circumstances other parties can be held responsible if they had the chance or duty to stop the drunk driver from getting behind the wheel and failed to do so.
The attorneys at JONES WARD PLC have represented numerous victims of DUI crashes and pedestrians who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident of any type, give attorney Terrance Massey a call at (502) 882-6000 or send him an email at tj@jonesward.com.
