Whether impairment was a factor in a recent crash on La. 16 remains to be seen. Troopers with the Louisiana State Police apparently suspect, however, that alcohol or drugs was responsible for the car accident that left one man dead, and two others injured. Their suspicion is strong enough for them to take the time to remind drivers not to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or taking drugs.
The accident in question occurred just before 11 p.m. on a recent Thursday night. From what troopers have pieced together so far, a southbound vehicle operated by an unidentified man veered into the northbound lane of La. 16. Unfortunately, another vehicle occupied by a driver and passenger was already in the lane and unable to avoid the oncoming minivan, which hit the unsuspecting northbound driver’s pickup truck head on.
All three people involved in the collision were properly restrained, but that did not save the life of the driver believed responsible for the crash. He suffered fatal injuries in the impact. The driver and passenger in the pickup truck were both seriously injured. The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab will be tasked with analyzing toxicology samples taken from both drivers to determine if impairment played a role in the crash.
Even if the deceased driver was not impaired at the time of this car accident, that will not preclude the two injured victims from filing personal injury claims against his estate. Serious injuries often require a protracted recovery time, and medical costs, lost wages and other financial damages can add up quickly. Successfully proving to a civil court that the deceased driver’s actions led to their injuries could result in an award of damages.
Source: nola.com, “Unidentified man dies in Livingston Parish crash Thursday night”, Renita D. Young, July 10, 2015