Alcohol is not the only substance that can impair a driver’s abilities behind the wheel. It is also hazardous for a driver to drive while taking prescription drugs or illegal narcotics. The Louisiana State Police believe a 19-year-old man was under the influence of drugs at the time of a recent car accident involving his vehicle and another vehicle occupied by three sisters.
The three were heading west and were on their way to school. Meanwhile, the allegedly impaired driver was heading east. As he approached a line of vehicles that were stopped, he swerved into the oncoming lane of traffic to avoid hitting the stopped vehicles. Unfortunately, his car veered directly into the path of the girls’ vehicle, and the two vehicles collided head on.
Fortunately, the girls in the front seats were both properly restrained. They suffered moderate injuries. Unfortunately, their 15-year-old sister in the back was not properly restrained, since she was not wearing the shoulder portion of her seat belt. She died as a result of the injuries she suffered in the crash.
The Louisiana State Police continue to investigate the car accident. A toxicology sample was taken from the man suspected of being high to determine what drugs, if any, were in his system. At last report, he was taken to a local jail and booked for DWI, vehicular homicide and vehicular injuring.
The family of these sisters is most likely struggling to come to terms with the events surrounding the car accident. At the same time, they are likely having to pay a significant amount in medical costs, and funeral and burial expenses, and they may be dealing with other financial losses. Successful wrongful death and personal injury claims could result in the family receiving damages to compensate them for their losses.
Source: theadvocate.com, “Driver arrested in crash that killed Dutchtown High student, charged with DWI, vehicular homicide“, Ellyn Couvillion, Dec. 10, 2014
