On Feb. 9, a 51-year-old Youngsville man was killed on his motorcycle in a crash involving two other vehicles. The crash occurred at 11:20 a.m. at the corner of La. 92 and St. Etienne Road.
The motorcycle driver was waiting to turn left onto St. Etienne Road when he was struck from behind by a 30-year-old woman from Lafayette, who was driving a 2011 Mazda CX9. The motorcyclist was thrown from his vehicle into oncoming traffic, where a Ford F-150 pick up truck that was being driven by a 73-year-old New Iberia man could not avoid hitting him.
The motorcycle driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The pick up truck driver was uninjured, but the Mazda driver was taken to the hospital for minor injuries. She was later arrested and incarcerated for driving on a suspended license, operating her vehicle in a careless manner and other unspecified outstanding warrants. Authorities are not yet sure whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accidents; toxicology results are pending.
In a situation where someone loses their life due to another person’s alleged negligence, the family members of the victim may want to consider pursuing a wrongful death claim in civil court. Wrongful death claims are intended to compensate family members both financially and emotionally for the loss of their loved one. Talking with an attorney can help grief-stricken family members determine whether or not their particular circumstances warrant the pursuit of a wrongful death case, and can help family members cope in a time of confusion and sorrow. Damages allowable in a wrongful death claim arising from a fatal motor vehicle accident can include compensation for loss of companionship and support as well as reimbursement of funeral and burial expenses.
Source: KATC, “Update: Victim in fatal motorcycle crash identified”, Feb. 9, 2015
