A 21-year-old man, who was allegedly driving drunk, was not reported as charged with any crime, although that could be the future result. He could also be held liable for the wrongful death of the 24-year-old pregnant woman, and for the personal injury to her baby, as well as to her 2-year-old and 7-year-old children. The 43-year-old woman who was driving the car in which the family was riding was also injured.

According to news reports, the 21-year-old man was driving south on 35th Avenue in Phoenix when he turned onto Dunlap Avenue in front of a city bus. A few blocks later he turned onto southbound 39th Avenue and ran a red light on Northern Avenue. It was there that his car struck the car driven by the 43-year-old, causing it the 43-year-old's car to roll over.

Everyone involved in the accident was injured and taken to area hospitals. As of this posting, the 24-year-old mother is the only one who has succumbed to injuries.

It is common practice at many hospitals to take blood samples when being admitted into an emergency room. If so, the blood test may show whether or not the 21-year-old driver was over the legal blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent.

It is not unusual for someone to be charged in both criminal court and held responsible in civil litigation as well. The surviving family members could sue for wrongful death as well as personal injury damages.

Source: AZcentral.com, "Phoenix crash: Pregnant woman dies, baby in critical condition," Cassondra Strande, July 6, 2012