The most dangerous time after a crash is when people, including emergency responders, are moving around the scene. Even when Louisiana law enforcement officials attempt to block off a car accident scene and warn other motorists, there is no guarantee that other drivers will heed the warning signs. In fact, police recently arrested a man suspected of driving under the influence after he crashed through the scene of an accident and several people were injured as a result.
Preliminary reports indicate that a car ran into the guardrail near where Interstate 10 splits with Interstate 12 at around 1:20 a.m. on a recent Sunday. Sometime thereafter, police and emergency personnel arrived and established a staging area in an attempt to warn other drivers. Sadly, a pickup truck driven by a 26-year-old man crashed into the disabled car and several people, including two of the emergency medical personnel and a police officer.
The injuries suffered by the victims were considered serious. One of the paramedics was dragged underneath the pickup truck and into the median. Police finally caught up with the vehicle, and the driver refused to submit to blood tests or field sobriety test. Nevertheless, a blood draw was administered and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab to determine whether the driver was impaired at the time of the crash.
All of the seriously injured victims retain the right to file personal injury claims against the suspected drunk driver. The police officer and paramedics might be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, but that does not mean they cannot file third party claims in civil court as well. If the court determines that the driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the injuries suffered by the victims, awards of damages could be made that could help with the financial losses incurred in the aftermath of this car accident.
Source: theadvocate.com, “Police: Officer, 5 others injured when suspected drunken driver plows into I-10 crash scene“, Olivia McClure, June 26, 2016