Louisiana’s recent high school graduates have their whole lives ahead of them. Some of them are planning for futures they may never see. This is the case for one recent graduate whose future came to an abrupt end in a recent fatal accident.
The 18-year-old man was heading east on U.S. 90 in the inside lane. He had no way of knowing that a vehicle driven by a 31-year-old man was heading right for him, heading the wrong-way on the highway. At approximately 2:45 a.m., the westbound vehicle slammed into the eastbound vehicle.
The younger driver attempted to avoid the collision, but it was too late. Debris from the wreckage hit a third vehicle. Fortunately, little damage was done to the vehicle, and its occupants were unharmed. The high school graduate was not as lucky. He died from the injuries he suffered in the crash.
The wrong-way driver was injured severely and was transported to a hospital in the area for treatment. Impairment on his part appears to have been a factor in why he was traveling on the wrong side of the road. A sample of his blood was sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab to be tested. What criminal charges, if any, will be filed against the man are pending the completion of the investigation.
The family of the man who lost his life in this fatal accident retains the right to file a wrongful death against the driver. In the event the driver does not survive, the action could be pursued against his legal estate. If negligence on his part is established to the court’s satisfaction, an award of damages may be considered. A monetary judgment could help with the expenses and other damages the family incurred because of this tragedy.
Source: katc.com, “Recent Loreauville High graduate killed in crash”, May 24, 2015