Two Girls Struck By Suspected Drunk Driver In Southwest Indianapolis, Indiana
One girl was tragically killed and another injured when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver on the southwest side. The wreck happened in the 6700 block of Bluff Road, north of Southport Road, around 6:15 p.m. Sunday. Police are reporting that two 12-year-old girls were walking south on Bluff Road when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver.
Both girls were taken to Methodist Hospital. Police say Tierra Pierson, who had been taken to the hospital in critical condition, later died of her injuries. A witness to the crash reportedly stopped and performed CPR on Pierson until medics arrived. The other girl was in good condition with minor, non-life threatening injuries.
While questioning driver Trenton Gaff, 30, police smelled alcohol on his breath and detained him. They also found several alcoholic beverage containers in the vehicle.
Officers called the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team to the scene to help investigate. Gaff was transported for a certified breath test and potential blood draw. Investigators determined his blood-alcohol content was twice the legal limit.
Investigators are reporting the girls were walking to a nearby business, on the snow-covered right of way. They determined Gaff would have had to drive off the roadway to strike them.
There are no sidewalks on the stretch of Bluff Road where the crash occurred.
Gaff was arrested for two counts of driving while under the influence causing serious bodily injury, a felony. Police are expected to file a more serious charge of driving under the influence causing death on Monday.
Vanessa Cantley, Indiana attorney and partner at Bahe Cook Cantley & Nefzger PLC, comments: "As a mother of two, I can't imagine what Tierra Pierson's family must be going through right now. I have represented hundreds of victims of drunk drivers, and not much makes me angrier than learning of an innocent child killed at the hands of someone drinking and driving. If police reports are accurate, I hope Gaff is held fully accountable to Tierra's parents for damages for her wrongful death and suffers the harshest criminal punishment available."
For more information about the rights of individuals injured or killed by drunk drivers, contact Vanessa directly here.
