A Connecticut man has been charged in connection with the death of a Wethersfield woman in a car accident on Monday.

According to authorities, the 46-year-old New Britain man was driving near the intersection of Folly Brook Boulevard and Jordan Lane in Wethersfield around 10:30 p.m. when he struck the woman, who was a pedestrian.

The woman was taken to an area medical center, but she died of her injuries not long after being admitted.

Authorities believe the man was intoxicated when he struck the woman, so he has been charged with DUI. Additional charges might be filed against him as soon as the Midstate Accident Reconstruction Team concludes its investigation of the incident. As of Thursday, he remained in jail in lieu of $5,000 bond.

The accident remains under investigation and police have asked for anyone with relevant information to come forward.

Drunk driving accidents such as this are tragedies that happen far too often. When someone makes the decision to drive after having had too much to drink, he or she is unduly putting the lives of other innocent people at risk.

If the family members of the deceased woman choose, they might opt to file a wrongful death suit. If such a lawsuit is successful, any settlement or award of damages could be used to defray funeral expenses or compensate the family for their loss of the woman’s income.

We understand it is difficult to address practical considerations at a sad and overwhelming time, but later on down the road, the decision to file a lawsuit could be one for which a person is very thankful.

Source: NBC Connecticut, “Man Charged With Drunken Driving After Fatal Crash,” June 12, 2013