New Hampton, IA — At least two people were seriously injured in a single-vehicle accident in New Hampton, Iowa, on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. The accident took place on 180th Street, east of Gilmore Avenue.
Police have identified Jessica Zeien-Cox as the 19-year-old driver who drove her vehicle into a ditch with three others inside. The passengers were 21-year-old Samuel Dight, 18-year-old Caleb Schadt, and 19-year-old Devan Elliot. The exact nature of the injuries they suffered is unknown.
Police only recently arrested Zeinen-Cox for the accident. She’s been charged with OWI and two counts of serious injury by vehicle. The accident is currently being investigated.
Read commentary below.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary
There may be some liability issues with where the driver got her alcohol from. If she was visibly intoxicated and bought it from a bar, the bar may have some questions it needs to answer, as they’re not allowed to serve people who are already drunk. However, the larger issue is what a driver owes their passengers. In a sense, a driver is a caretaker, and owes his or her passengers a certain duty of care. If you get behind the wheel while intoxicated, that duty is being breached, and the law says that you can be held liable for it.
— Grossman Law Offices
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