Can You Get Criminal Charges For Intentionally Causing A Freak Accident?
Florida is the state that people tend to associate the most with freak accidents and freakish occurrences; introduced species from virtually all hot, humid corners of the earth flourish in Florida’s waterways and stroll across its roads. In Florida, you have a greater chance of getting struck by lightning or bitten by an alligator than in any other state. Given that road rage is the law of the land in the Sunshine State, you would expect Florida to be the site of incidents where a car crashes into a second story window. This is improbable in Florida for two reasons, though, namely the flat terrain and the ubiquity of one-story houses. It happened in Pennsylvania, though, and now the driver is facing criminal charges. If you are facing criminal charges for a vehicular misadventure, contact a Pittsburgh speeding lawyer.
Pennsylvania Aggravated Assault Laws
According to Pennsylvania law, you can be charged with assault if you intentionally injure someone or put the person in immediate danger of suffering a bodily injury. Simple assault is a misdemeanor, but aggravated assault is a felony. Charges of aggravated assault apply if the victim suffers serious injury or if a weapon is involved. Likewise, if the victim of the assault is a child under the age of six, a teacher, or a police officer, you can be charged with aggravated assault even if the victim did not suffer serious injuries and you did not use a weapon. The maximum penalty for an aggravated assault conviction is a $25,000 fine and 20 years in prison.
In the News
Earlier, this month, Evan Miller was driving a 2006 Toyota Corolla in a residential neighborhood in Lewistown. His car struck a culvert, which is a tunnel through which water flows when a road is built over a canal or other waterway. The car collided with the culvert at such a speed and such an angle that the impact propelled the car upward and forward, and it crashed into the second story window of a nearby house. One person was home at the time of the incident, but the resident was on the first floor and was not injured. Miller, however, suffered injuries and went to a hospital for treatment.
Police allege that Miller, 20, caused the collision intentionally, although there is no indication that he had ever met the residents of the house before. He is currently facing charges for criminal mischief, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person. If he is convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years. News reports did not include any information about whether he has hired a criminal defense lawyer or whether he has entered a plea.
Contact Gary E. Gerson About Criminal Mischief Cases
A criminal defense lawyer can help you if you are being accused of using your car to cause destruction. Contact the law offices of Gary E. Gerson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania about your case.
Sources:
washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/08/08/car-crashes-second-floor-home-pennsylvania/
legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=27&sctn=2&subsctn=0
