By Pendergast Law on October 23, 2012
A woman and her dog lost their lives in a head-on accident in Gig Harbor, Washington recently after her car crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle, according to an article in The News-Tribune. Two people in the second vehicle suffered injuries in the crash.
Washington State Patrol troopers report that the accident took place on state Route 302 North, a few minutes before 10:00 in the morning. The woman, a 47-year-old Gig Harbor resident, was driving along Route 302 with her dog in her lap. Her vehicle crossed the road’s center line and hit another vehicle that was traveling in the opposite direction. Both the woman and the dog suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
The driver of the second vehicle and her seven-year-old daughter were rushed to area hospitals for treatment of the injuries they suffered in the accident, which included severe leg injuries. Medical staff report that both are in stable condition and are expected to survive their injuries.
Investigators believe that the dog sitting on the deceased driver’s lap may have been a distraction that led to the accident, according to The News-Tribune. While most distracted driving accidents in Washington are not caused by pets, pets that are not properly secured can easily divert a driver’s attention from the road long enough to cause a serious accident.
At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., our skilled Washington head-on car accident attorneys can help you get the compensation you need after a crash, so that you can focus on getting well. call us today at 888-539-9211 for a free, confidential telephone consultation.