A Colorado family is mourning the loss of their 17-year-old son who died recently in a car accident. The all-star athlete was killed instantly when a 20-year-old Littleton woman crashed into the side of his vehicle as he drove to school one morning. The Littleton woman escaped the crash with only minor injuries and authorities say that charges are pending against the woman.

The crash happened on Logan County Road 32 at the intersection of Road 35. Authorities say that the woman failed to stop at the stop sign which gave traffic on Road 35 the right of way. It is unclear whether a wrongful death lawsuit will be filed against the woman in connection with this accident. Generally wrongful death lawsuits are filed by the family of a surviving car accident victim against the individuals whose negligence caused the victim's death. The failure to obey traffic signs such as stop signs is typically seen as a per se instance of negligence which can support a wrongful death action.

The grieving family of the deceased teen is probably not thinking of the legal ramifications of their son's death however. For right now, the family is trying to come to terms with how such a promising young man was taken from them so suddenly.

The teen's brother said that he was always by his side. "I never hugged him much, but if I could go back, I would hug him every day," he said.

"He was amazing, he was a good kid," the teen's mother said. "With a huge heart. He was my best friend."

Source: 9News, "Mother of teen killed in crash: 'He was amazing," Jeffrey Wolf, Jan. 4, 2012; Fort Morgan Times, "Caliche student dies in collision," Sara Waite, Jan. 5, 2012