A 54-year-old Louisiana woman suffered fatal injuries after being struck by a vehicle on Dec. 29. The supposed driver of the vehicle involved in this fatal pedestrian accident failed to remain at the scene. Police believe the responsible party is now in custody.
From evidence gathered at the scene, Louisiana authorities were able to determine the make and model of the vehicle that struck the woman. The identification of the vehicle, a white Dodge pickup truck, led them to a pickup truck owned by a Chalmette man. The vehicle had sustained damage consistent with the evidence obtained by investigators.
It is believed the owner of the pickup truck was driving the night the woman was run down. An arrest warrant was issued, and the 70-year-old man turned himself in to police on New Year’s Day. He faces charges of negligent homicide, reckless operation and an additional felony charge for hit-and-run.
No other information regarding the victim was reported. It is not known how long she was on Louisiana 46 before she was found or if she could have survived with immediate medical care. More information may become available after police complete their investigation.
As the criminal case in connection with this fatal pedestrian accident progresses, the victim’s family may receive answers to any lingering questions they may have regarding the accident. If a conviction is secured, the family may use that conviction in any related civil action as evidence of the driver’s negligence. If negligence is proved, the family could be awarded for damages by the court.
Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian Killed in Hit-and-Run Auto Accident
A Louisiana man has been arrested in connection with the death of a pedestrian. Police are still attempting to ascertain what the driver, who turns out to be the president of the Livingston Parish School Board, was doing on the rural road at that time of morning. They are also trying to find out why he fled the scene of the auto accident.
As for the victim, reports have indicated that he and another man were arguing when the accident occurred. The victim was driving a truck that belonged to the passenger he was supposedly arguing with. For some reason, the victim stopped the truck and the passenger got out. The driver then drove away, but returned shortly thereafter. He got out of the truck to talk to the passenger when he was struck.
The Louisiana State Police say the victim was in the roadway when he was struck, which is why they have not charged the school board president with negligent homicide. According to the police, the victim is responsible for the accident since the truck was stopped in the roadway. There is also no evidence to indicate that the man was impaired at the time of the accident.
It may not be possible to find the school board president criminally liable for the victim’s death in this auto accident, but his family may still be able to obtain some justice for him in civil court. The burden of proof in civil court is not as stringent as it is in criminal court. Also, an argument could be made that the actions of the driver that hit the victim contributed to his death. This could make that driver at least partly responsible for his death under our state laws regarding wrongful death.