Two passengers were killed and a third injured when a motor vehicle smashed into a cement wall on Oct. 9. The driver is suffering from critical injuries and was taken to an area hospital. Los Angeles police allege the driver was drunk at the time of the accident.

The accident occurred at about 1:20 a.m., on Saturday after they left a bar. Reportedly, the motorist was said to be driving his pickup truck eastbound on Wiltshire Boulevard at Park View Street when he lost control of the vehicle. The truck slammed into a concrete wall, which causing the death of one passenger inside the truck and another after he was ejected from the vehicle. One of the deceased was 28 years old and the other was 24 years old. The third passenger, age 23, was wearing his seat belt and suffered only minor injuries.

Emergency responders rushed the 27-year-old driver to a hospital. According to a Los Angeles police sergeant, the motorist had a broken leg. He was booked on suspicion of murder. Regardless of whether or not the motorist is ultimately convicted of murder, the families of the two deceased victims may have cause to file a wrongful death suit. A wrongful death is a death caused by the negligent or willful conduct of another. As such, the family of the passengers who died and possibly the injured third passenger may benefit from consulting with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney.

Victims of motor vehicle accidents deserve and are entitled to compensation for their injuries caused by the negligence of others, and an attorney may be able to assist with prosecuting a claim seeking full accountability.

Source: NBC Los Angeles, "2 Killed in Crash near MacArthur Park," Oct 13, 2011