Because motorcycles lack most safety features that automobiles have, such as seatbelts and airbags, it’s no surprise that motorcyclists are more at risk for serious injuries and fatalities. Because we share the road with motorcycles, we all have a responsibility to drive in a way that is safer for bikers sharing our roadways. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a great majority of motorcycle versus auto accidents occur when a car driver is turning left and a motorcyclist is going straight. Always be on the lookout for motorcyclists. Because motorcycles are more maneuverable than cars, it is always a good idea to allow them more space than another kind of vehicle.
The County Times reports on a Litchfield woman who has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a fatal collision with a group of motorcycles.
Elizabeth Waterbury pleaded guilty in 2017 to manslaughter, two counts of assault with a motor vehicle, and drunken driving. The charges stem from an October 2016 accident in which Waterbury plowed into a group of 18 motorcyclists.
One of those motorcyclists died. Another lost a leg in the accident.
The victim who suffered from fatal injuries was 33-year-old Aislinn M. Kern, a mother of three. 43-year-old Dan DePaolo lost his lower left leg in the accident.
At the time of the accident, Waterbury hid three full bottles of wine and a prescription bottle of lorazepam under the bushes on the shoulder just north of the accident site. Waterbury also had two previous DUI arrests. One arrest took place in Connecticut, the other in New York.
On Friday, Waterbury was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
