A collision in Mobile, Alabama, last week claimed the lives of two people and left three others injured. FOX10 News reports that the driver that allegedly caused the accident has a long history of encounters with law enforcement, including driving with a revoked license.

The Alabama car accident occurred in the morning hours last Wednesday. The 30-year-old man driving a Ford Tahoe reportedly crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a Ford Explorer. A 52-yearold woman and her 33-year-old daughter suffered fatal injuries in the tragic head-on wreck. Two children of the 33-year-old woman were in the back seat of the Explorer and sustained serious injuries in the accident.

Law enforcement says the 30-year-old male driver had been drinking before the collision. Prosecutors say the man smelled of alcohol at the scene of the accident. Alcohol was found in the vehicle during an investigation after the crash. Police, however, believe the driver was under the influence of another substance when the accident occurred.

During a search of the Tahoe, police found crack cocaine. The 30-year-old driver has been charged with two counts of murder based upon the evidence found at the crash site. Prosecutors reportedly are also considering filing assault charges related to the two children injured in the accident. In an accident where criminal charges have been brought, an injured party is not barred from filing a civil suit related to the same incident.

Similarly, if a person dies as a result of the negligence of another, the family of the deceased may have a claim under the Alabama wrongful death law. Punitive damages are available in a wrongful death claim under Alabama law.

Source: WALA-TV FOX10, "Driver charged in crash has long arrest history," Renee Dials 5 Jan 2011