Before 3 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, a man suspected of driving under the influence was traveling west on Interstate 10 through Louisiana. As he approached the bridge, he slammed into the back of another vehicle. The car accident resulted in the death of two people and injury to several others.
Four people occupied the vehicle that the driver hit. A 26-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman suffered fatal injuries and succumbed at the scene. The two other occupants reportedly suffered minor injuries and were taken to an area hospital. An occupant of the other vehicle was also taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The investigation into the crash resulted in the arrest and booking of the driver of the vehicle that rear-ended the other car. He was booked on three counts of negligent injury by vehicle, two counts of homicide by vehicle and reckless and careless operation. He was also charged with a second offense for DWI.
If prosecutors prove that the man was impaired at the time of the crash, that fact may be offered as evidence in any related civil actions filed by the families of the deceased victims. Proving negligence is a vital component of any wrongful death action. If the driver is found financially responsible for the car accident, the court may award damages such as funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering and other monetary relief recognized by Louisiana law. Financial compensation could help the family recover the financial damages sustained due to the premature deaths of their loved ones.
Source: wafb.com, “2 killed, 3 injured in deadly crash involving man on 2nd DWI“, Chiantia Sago, March 30, 2014