Drunk driver blamed for the loss of 9-year-old in fatal accident

Selfish is one of the words people use to describe those who get behind the wheel of a car when they are impaired. This is because drunk driving accidents are some of the most preventable on Louisiana’s roadways. There are many people each year who might still be alive or uninjured had it not been for the decisions of impaired drivers to put everyone in jeopardy by driving under the influence of alcohol. Some fatal accident victims who die at the hands of drunk drivers are children.

One of the latest victims of an allegedly impaired driver was a 9-year-old girl. She was one of four passengers in a vehicle that was struck by a vehicle whose driver is believed to have been drinking. The preliminary report regarding the crash indicates that vehicle veered into the oncoming lane of traffic directly into the path of the vehicle occupied by the girl and three of her family members.

In addition to the deceased victim, the driver of the vehicle she was in also suffered injuries. That individual’s injuries are unknown, along with that person’s current condition. Fortunately, the two other children in the car escaped injury.

As the criminal case proceeds against the woman believed responsible for this fatal accident, the family of the deceased girl and the injured driver may also file wrongful death and personal injury claims against her. If Louisiana prosecutors secure a criminal conviction against the woman related to the crash, the girl’s family may offer it as evidence of the woman’s negligence in civil court. Successfully proving negligence could lead to an award of damages that could help the family with the financial losses sustained due to the woman’s actions.

Source: katc.com, “UPDATE: Family identifies child who died in Breaux Bridge crash”, Dec. 8, 2015