The Louisiana State Police believe that alcohol consumption may have played a role in a three-vehicle accident on March 27 in St. Landry parish that injured 10 people and claimed the life of a 55-year-old man. The accident took place at the intersection of U.S. Highway 190 and Interstate 49 in Opelousas at approximately 9:30 p.m.
According to a LSP report, the motor vehicle accident was caused by a 47-year-old woman who crossed all lanes of U.S. Highway 190 as she attempted to reach the entrance ramp to Interstate 49 from the I-49 Frontage Road. As she attempted to reach the highway, the woman’s car crossed the path of a pickup truck on Highway 190 that was towing a third vehicle. The force of the collision caused the pickup truck and the car it was towing to leave the roadway.
An Opelousas man who had been a passenger in the woman’s car was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The woman was transported to an area hospital along with five passengers in the pickup truck and three occupants of the vehicle being towed. The driver of the pickup truck was also hurt in the crash, but he declined medical treatment. Toxicology samples were collected from the woman and the person in the car being towed.
If a driver is discovered to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the results of toxicology tests may be used in a civil lawsuit as well as a criminal prosecution. A personal injury attorney could use evidence of impairment to establish negligence. A lawsuit stemming from an auto accident could seek damages to compensate for lost income in addition to the costs of required medical treatment.
Source: KLFY, “Friday night crash leaves one person dead and numerous others injured”, March 28, 2015
