Tragic Fatal Car Accident Results in Death of a Jackson Twp. Girl

In a tragic motor vehicle accident that occurred in Ocean County recently, a 17-year-old young woman from Jackson Township sustained fatal injuries and was declared deceased shortly thereafter.

According to a statement released by Lieutenant Steve Laskiewicz of the Jackson Township Police Department, 17-year-old local resident Kaitlyn Henninger was involved in a two-vehicle collision on Wednesday, February 25th. A 1993 Ford F800 flatbed truck reportedly hit Henninger’s 1997 Jeep Cherokee as she attempted to enter West Veterans Highway from the intersecting Hawkin Road.

Law enforcement officials were alerted to the accident at approximately 3:22 p.m and it was originally reported that Henninger failed to yield to multiple stop signs and red light traffic signals immediately before the crash. However, a subsequent investigation determined that Henninger did, in fact, abide by traffic signals, according to Al Della Fave of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

The driver of the commercial truck, 43-year-old Mount Laurel Township resident James O’Hagen, claims that he attempted to avoid striking Henninger’s vehicle but could not stop his vehicle in time. The truck reportedly impacted Henninger’s vehicle on the driver’s side. Following the accident, she was transported to Trenton’s Helene Fuld Medical Center, at which time she was pronounced deceased. O’Hagen did not report any injuries but was transported to CentraState hospital as a precautionary measure.

Nothing will truly compensate Miss Henninger’s family for their tragic loss; however, they may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit, which may result in financial remuneration. These payments can become essential after an automobile, truck, motorcycle or other accident, as they provide monetary resources necessary to pay for medical, funeral, and other expenses.

Under New Jersey law, a “wrongful death,” may be caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another. In other words, the circumstances surrounding the individual’s death must have been such that he or she would have had grounds for a personal injury lawsuit if he or she had survived. Multiple parties can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of their loved one, including the surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, or another person who can establish that he or she was a dependent of the deceased individual.

No monetary value will suffice for the devastation caused by losing someone you love. However, with a knowledgeable personal injury law firm on your side, you can obtain the resources necessary to compensate for some of the significant costs associated with these tragedies.

For additional information relating to this case, access the following article: Jackson teen killed in crash on West Veterans Highway