Generally, wrongful death stems from negligence that led to an accident, but sometimes wrongful death may involve crime. If a reckless driver killed someone, for example, the negligent driver may receive citations and face prosecution for violating traffic laws.
Criminal cases are completely separate from wrongful death cases. The deceased’s estate or loved ones bring wrongful death cases in civil court, while the state brings criminal prosecutions in criminal court. The aim of a civil case is economic compensation for the deceased’s estate and family members. A criminal trial aims to punish the suspect for a crime, and does not include economic redress for victims.