RICHARDSON, TX (12/25/2015) — One person was killed and five family members were injured following a hit-and-run accident on Friday morning.
According to Richardson police, 63-year-old Madhavi Meharunkar was killed on Christmas Day when a distracted driver struck the minivan in which she was riding, along the 2300 block of Highway 75 in Richardson, Texas.
Alteer Latif
Authorities reported that at around 11:30 a.m., 23-year-old Atheer Latif was driving a Scion southbound on 75 when he began drifting into the HOV lane, struck several pylons, over-corrected, and drifted into the path of a Honda Odyssey driven by Meharunkar’s son.
The impact caused the Odyssey to hit a concrete median and roll over at least once.
The minivan was carrying Meharunkar’s son, daughter-in-law, husband, and her two grandchildren.
Meharunkar tragically lost her life in the accident. The five other occupants of the minivan were transported to a nearby hospital with injuries, however their current conditions are unknown.
Sgt. Kevin Perlich stated that Latif, who fled the scene of the fatal accident, turned himself in later that day. He was charged with criminally negligent homicide.
This accident remains under investigation.
Commentary
Police reported that the cause of this accident may be attributed to distracted driving, which has become a huge safety issue over the past decade. In 2012, more than 3,300 people died as result of distracted driving accidents, and another 421,000 people suffered injuries. We urge drivers, now more than ever, to put down their cell phones while behind the wheel. The consequences could be dire, and no call or text is worth putting your life (and other lives) in danger.
