2 dead, 2 injured in crash during police chase

A recent accident on Louisiana Highway 30 has resulted in the death of two people and injuries to two others. According to reports, the fatal car accident was the result of two suspected thieves attempting to flee from police. While attempting to evade a police officer who was trying to pull her over, the 25-year-old female driver lost control of her vehicle. The car veered across the travel lanes into oncoming traffic.

The vehicle then collided head-on with an oncoming pickup truck. The 34-year-old driver of the pickup truck and his 48-year-old passenger were both injured in the collision. The driver of the first vehicle and her 20-year-old passenger were killed.

The deceased reportedly were not wearing their seatbelts. The occupants of the pickup truck were wearing their seatbelts, which may have saved their lives. The accident is still under investigation, and one area of inquiry is whether the deceased driver was intoxicated at the time of the collision. A toxicology sample was taken. Results are still pending at the time this is written.

When Louisiana drivers engage in negligent behavior, the consequences are often dire. In this case, two lives were lost, and two others were likely significantly altered.

Because the driver of the vehicle that crossed into oncoming traffic was killed in the wreck, many people might assume that there is no avenue of legal recourse available to the survivors. However, the two individuals injured in this car accident may choose to utilize Louisiana’s personal injury laws to seek compensation for their pain and suffering, medical expenses and possible loss of earnings. They have the right to file a personal injury claim against the party found to be responsible for their injuries. And if that person was killed, the suit may be brought against the person’s estate.

Source: Gonzales Weekly Citizen, “Two vehicle crash results in double fatality,” Dec. 19, 2012