Jeffery Arthur Martin, 37, was charged for driving drunk and causing a collision that led to the death of an 88-year-old man on Christmas Eve.

The accident took place at Dodd Blvd and Gerdine Avenue, Lakeville. Martin was driving a Dodge Durango, and turned left onto westbound Dodd, crashing into the Cadillac driven by Susan M. Shaffer, 69, of Prior Lake.

Shaffer was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where she is still in serious condition. Her husband, Everett Letterly, 88, was taken to Regions and died on Christmas Day. Martin was not injured nor was his 9-year-old child, who was in the car with him.

Martin failed the preliminary breath test and was arrested at the scene. Monday he was charged in Dakota County District Court with drunken driving and child endangerment in connection with the collision. Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said more charges may follow.

The accident is under further investigation by Dakota County Officers.

Minnesota Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Contact our Minnesota Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers at 612-362-0000. We support the mission of MADD Minnesota and we aggressive pursue justice in drunk driving accident cases. Our personal injury lawyers are consistently named Minnesota Super Lawyers and have a reputation for being able to establish fault and prove liability in complex drunk driving cases. When there is a wrongful death due to negligent drunk driving, punitive damages can be pursued in addition to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Last weekend brought to light again the need for stiffer penalties for drunk driving. There was another needless death. A multiple repeat-offender was apparently driving drunk again, crashed into a vehicle, killing the 17-year-old driver.

Todd Lifto, 44, drove his 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup the wrong way on County Road 35, with no headlights — and speeding. He crashed into the 1998 Toyota Camry that Jonathon Kramnic was driving. Jonathon was airlifted to North Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale, where he died Sunday.

The crash occurred on Saturday about 6:30 p.m., on County 35, near Jamison Avenue, in St. Michael. Lifto was charge on Wednesday with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide. One of the counts is based on the use of alcohol before the crash, according to Tom Kelly, the Wright County Attorney. The drunk driving charges have not been filed, pending the test results.

Minnesota Drunk Driving and Wrongful Death Lawyer

In a case like this, the victim’s family can file for punitive damages as well as a wrongful death beneficiary claim. The laws regarding Minnesota Wrongful Death are complex. It is vital to retain an experienced, knowledgeable law firm to represent you in your Minnesota wrongful death claim.

The basis for a wrongful death claim is not about the damages to the deceased, but the resultant loss for the surviving spouse, family members, or parents. The losses include most factors that place burdens on the survivors, including:

• loss of salary
• health benefits
• pain and suffering
• funeral expenses
• burial expenses

Pecuniary damages can also be included in the claim to receive compensation for:

• loss of services, protection, care
• loss of companionship
• loss of advice

Contact a Minnesota Wrongful Death Attorney at 612-362-0000. Our partners have decades of combined experience and are consistently named Minnesota Super Lawyers.