An Ascension Parish jury ordered the State of Louisiana and a negligent driver to pay a father and mother $4.4 million after a truck accident killed two of their children.
In June 2014, 9-year-old Sarai Lanus, 6-year-old Daylon Lanus, their father David Lanus, and several other people were fishing near the side of Bluff Road in Prairieville, when 47-year-old Shawnette Taylor’s UV left the road, slid down a steep embankment, and slammed into the group of fishers. The Lanus children were pronounced dead at the scene, and their father was seriously injured. In the truck accident lawsuit, the plaintiffs claimed that the road’s defective design contributed to the crash, an allegation which the state Department of Transportation and Development flatly denied. The jury disagreed, dividing fault 60-40 between the state and the tortfeasor (negligent actor). Ms. Taylor had argued that David Lanus was responsible for the deaths and another vehicle got too near the center line, forcing her to leave the road to avoid a collision, but the jury disagreed with those contentions as well. [Read more…] about Multi-Milliondollar Verdict In Wrongful Death Case
fatal pedestrian accident
Fatal Pedestrian Accident Mars Family's Thanksgiving
A tragedy on Thanksgiving day has most likely changed how one Louisiana family will view the holiday forever. A fatal pedestrian accident took the life of a woman that day. Police are still searching for the vehicle and driver responsible.
Troopers with the Louisiana State Police say that it was approximately 2 a.m. when a friend dropped the woman off in front of her home. It was then that a vehicle that failed to remain at the scene struck her. Her mother reportedly believes the woman was hit more than once. Emergency responders transported her to an area hospital. Sadly, her injuries were too severe, and medical personnel were unable to save her life.
The next day, troopers returned to the scene to see if they could find any evidence there and talk to residents who might be able to provide clues to the vehicle that had struck and killed the mother of two little girls. Her death has rekindled a concern that something needs to be done about the traffic in this particular neighborhood. A resident reported that speeding cars are a problem for the area. Authorities are awaiting the results of a toxicology sample taken from the woman as part of their investigation. No information was provided as to whether the woman was struck by more than one vehicle, or if any evidence that could lead to the vehicle and its driver was found.
While her family waits for police to locate the negligent party or parties found to be responsible for this fatal pedestrian accident, they must bury their loved one. Once the responsible is found, her family may file a wrongful death claim, seeking damages permitted by state law. If they prevail in proving negligence, any monetary restitution received could help provide for the two girls the victim left behind.
Louisiana Man Arrested for Fatal Pedestrian Accident
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.