On Saturday, a Michigan woman gave birth to her first child while the baby’s father and grandmother were killed in an auto accident. Crystal Matrau-Belt arrived at the hospital alone because she did not expect to deliver the baby that day. Her fiance, Emil Skokan III, had stayed at home with Crystal’s mother, Peggy Nichols, to help prepare for the arrival of the baby. Due to Crystal’s blood pressure level, her doctor decided that the baby should be delivered via cesarean section, and she called Skokan to inform him of the news. As he and Nichols were en route to the hospital, Skokan lost control of the vehicle, veered off the roadway, and collided with a tree. Both Skokan and Nichols were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The baby was born just a few hours after the accident, and Crystal was informed as she was recovering from the c-section. Media outlets reported that she is experiencing one of the best times of her life and one of the worst times of her life at the same time.
Every year, thousands of auto accidents occur every year and are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, there are an estimated 37,000 individuals that lose their lives in traffic crashes annually. Most of the auto accidents that occur could be prevented. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you should seek the legal guidance of an experienced car accident lawyer to obtain justice for your loss.
The St. Louis auto accident attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth have handled thousands of accident cases. We will investigate your accident, determine who is liable, and fight aggressively to hold that party accountable. To receive a free no-obligation consultation from an experienced attorney, contact our office today.