A North Carolina family is mourning the tragic loss of a young woman this holiday. The 19-year-old's life was cut short as the result of a DWI accident that happened while she and her family were on a shopping trip. Reportedly, a vehicle rear-ended their car, causing the young woman's fatal injuries. The 29-year-old driver of the offending vehicle is now facing a long list of charges, including manslaughter.

The crash occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. Police reports indicate that the man was driving at an estimated 80 miles per hour when his vehicle rear-ended an SUV and a Nissan Altima. The man reportedly attempted to drive away but was tased at the scene.

The Nissan Altima contained five passengers, including the deceased young woman, along with two adults and two children under the age of 7. The two other adults in the vehicle were not seriously injured. A 6-year-old girl in the Nissan was taken to Pitt County Memorial Hospital and listed in fair condition. A 7-year-old boy in the Nissan was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center and expected to undergo broken jaw surgery. Two people in the SUV were not injured.

The 29-year-old driver of the vehicle that slammed into the Nissan and SUV has been charged with several counts of DWI, involuntary manslaughter, felony death by motor vehicle, along with a number of other charges. Sadly, this will not be his first time facing DWI charges. The fact that negligence on his part may have caused these injuries will likely ensure that he will also face a civil lawsuit once his criminal charges have been handled. Though no amount of money can repair the loss of a loved one, a court's confirmation of negligence on his part may ultimately provide the family with some measure of justice.

The family of the deceased young woman has spoken out regarding their loss. The victim's surviving grandmother said that her granddaughter was well loved and had a bright future. Last year the young woman graduated from high school, having made the Dean's list in pursuit of her dream to become a dentist. The woman's grandmother also spoke of the dangers of drunk driving, emphasizing how unfair it is that people are injured or lose their lives because of another's reckless behavior.

Source: wnct.com, "Update: Man Charged with DWI following Weekend Crash," Tony Rawlings, Nov. 28, 2011