Hancock’s Family Files Suit
May 29, 2007 by Geoff Young
Filed under News
The family of Josh Hancock, the Cardinals’ pitcher killed April 29, is suing several parties as a result of his death. I can’t even begin to imagine the grief Hancock’s family must be feeling, and I’m truly sorry for their loss. That said, how are his actions anyone else’s fault? Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press pretty much nails this one when he notes that “drunken driving is a choice.”
More constructive than trying to lay blame on others would be taking steps to minimize the risk of similar events occurring in the future. Anything less cheapens the value of life. Hancock isn’t coming back, and no amount of money will change that. Here’s hoping Hancock’s family can find a better way to honor Josh and heal their own wounds than by lashing out at the rest of the world.
You are absolutely right. His bad judgement and decisions led to his fatal crash. However, some responsibility should be on the drinking establishment that gave him more to drink than he should’ve had. And unless Josh Hancock was really good at acting sober, it should have been clear that he was already, or on the verge of becoming, drunk. Therefore, even though he used bad judgement, the drinking establishment could’ve prevented the crash.
You raise a good point about the restaurant. Where the family loses me is in suing the towing company, the tow truck driver, and the driver of the car being towed. According to published reports, Hancock was speeding and talking on a cell phone. He also wasn’t wearing a seat belt, and marijuana was found in the car. Seems to me there’s a bit of a pattern here…