Impairment Suspected in Fatal Accident on Louisiana Hwy 2

Accidents caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs are some of the most preventable on the road. By deciding to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while suffering from diminished capacity, impaired drivers put the lives of anyone on or near the roadway at risk. One driver appears to have found this out the hard way in a fatal accident that occurred recently on Louisiana Highway 2.
Troopers with the Louisiana State Police believe he was impaired as he headed east on the highway. As he attempted to negotiate a curve, he reportedly veered into the oncoming lane of traffic. A vehicle already in the westbound lane was not able to get out of the way of the man’s pickup truck. The two vehicles slammed into each other head-on.
The 22-year-old driver of the westbound car survived the crash. However, his 32-year-old passenger suffered fatal injuries in the crash and died at the scene. It is not known what injuries either driver suffered, if any. The 43-year-old pickup truck driver was arrested and taken in for booking. He could face charges of driving left of center, negligent injury (two counts) and homicide by vehicle.
Apart from any criminal proceedings, the injured survivors and the family of the deceased passenger may pursue civil lawsuits against the allegedly impaired driver of the pickup truck in connection with the fatal accident. Any conviction secured by Louisiana prosecutors could be presented as evidence of his negligence in a related civil proceeding. A successfully litigated claim could result in an award of damages that may defray the financial losses that can accompany such adversity.