2 Killed, Several Injured In Baton Rouge Drunk Driving Accident

Posted in Car Accidents,Our Blog on April 2, 2014

Louisiana police officers have reported that a motorist is in custody for drunk driving after allegedly killing two people and injuring three others on March 30. The driver, age 38, reportedly rear-ended another vehicle with four occupants while driving on the Interstate 10 Bridge in Baton Rouge. Authorities say that a 19-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man died in the tragic car accident.

Authorities say that the driver admitted that he drank alcoholic beverages at a local club and also at a casino before getting behind the wheel. The at-fault driver in the car collision had reportedly started out the evening as a designated driver, but he abandoned that cause and began consuming alcoholic beverages. The man told officers that he was less intoxicated than his friend, so he was selected to drive both of them home from a club in Port Allen.

Investigators told news outlets that the man was so intoxicated that he was falling asleep during his police interview. Further, the man’s speech was slurred, and he apparently smelled like alcohol. The man failed to provide a proper Breathalyzer test, so he was transported to a hospital for a blood-based toxicology test. That driver is officially charged with second-offense DWI, along with vehicular homicide, reckless operation and vehicular negligent injuring, among others.

The car accident killed two people, but two others in the victims’ vehicle were also injured in the wreck. The at-fault driver’s passenger also suffered injuries in the car collision. None of the injuries appeared life-threatening.

Victims such as these who have suffered serious injury or endured the loss of a loved one because of a drunk driving accident may be entitled to financial compensation. Even if the driver is not convicted on criminal counts, those victims may be entitled to financial redress for medical expenses, pain and suffering and a variety of other claims. A Louisiana attorney may be able to provide additional information about legal options for victims and their families.

Source: The Advocate, “Two dead in Mississippi River bridge crash” Ben Johnson, Mar. 31, 2014