Driver

Tragic Accident in Hawley: Jury Exonerates Driver, Attributes Crash to Sudden Brake Failure

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HAWLEY, Minn. — A Clay County coroner’s jury ruled that no criminal negligence was involved in a tragic car-truck collision that resulted in the deaths of three teenagers from Fargo on June 14. The verdict was reached after the jury deliberated for approximately 20 minutes following the testimonies of nine witnesses, including Douglas Hansen, the 16-year-old driver of the car. Witness accounts revealed that a series of cars braked suddenly, leading to the fatal incident on U.S. Highway 10, about five miles east of Hawley. The crash claimed the lives of Sharon Green, 15; Wallace … Read more

Outcry in Colorado: Legal Loopholes Allow Accused Hit-and-Run Driver to Walk Free Amid Mental Health Controversies

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Questions are rising about Colorado’s laws on competency in criminal cases after a man accused of causing a fatal hit-and-run is set to be released due to a court ruling. Joel Lang was charged with murder following an incident in November 2024 that ended the life of 47-year-old Kristy Kerst outside a fast-food restaurant in Monument. According to prosecutors, Lang struck Kerst’s vehicle and, when she exited to inspect the damage, he accelerated, dragging her for hundreds of feet before fleeing the scene. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Lang’s … Read more

North Dakota Enacts Sweeping New Laws: From School Cellphone Bans to Tax Reforms and Enhanced Driver Regulations

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FARGO, N.D. — Beginning August 1, new legislation will introduce significant changes in North Dakota, impacting daily life across the state. As cities like Fargo work through budgetary challenges exacerbated by recent reforms limiting annual property tax increases, local officials are looking for alternatives to close budget shortfalls. Among the notable laws is a measure that prohibits the use of cellphones in public schools throughout the academic day, save for specific exceptions. School districts have been actively preparing to implement and enforce this policy in anticipation of the new school year. Motorists in North Dakota … Read more

Jury Awards $20.5 Million to Family of Librarian Killed by Drunken Driver in Portland Bus Stop Tragedy

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PORTLAND, Ore. — A Multnomah County jury has awarded $20.5 million to the family of Jeanie Diaz, a librarian who tragically lost her life after being struck by a drunken driver while waiting for a bus in July 2023. The verdict underscores the devastating impact of impaired driving and serves as a reminder of the need for heightened awareness around this critical issue. In November 2023, Diaz’s family filed a lawsuit seeking $120 million in damages, a reflection of both the profound loss they experienced and their desire for accountability. They pursued legal action against … Read more