Hit-and-run turns into fatal accident

When Louisiana drivers fail to stop after they cause collisions, they are not only attempting to avoid responsibility, but they also may not be aware of the devastation their actions caused. An accident that begins as a hit-and-run involving only two vehicles can lead to a second, deadlier crash. Police say that is what happened in a recent fatal accident.

Police in the area where the accident occurred reported that the first vehicle hit the back of the second vehicle. The impact caused the second vehicle to move into the opposing lane of travel. Unfortunately, there was already a third vehicle in the lane that was unable to avoid the impending head-on collision.

When vehicles two and three collided, the 77-year-old driver of the second vehicle suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger suffered severe injuries and was transported to a hospital in the area in critical condition. Since that time, the passenger’s condition is now considered to be stable.

The occupants of the third vehicle were also injured. Police in Kaplan have not yet identified the vehicle or its driver who began this tragic chain of events. They are asking the public for help.

It is unknown what charges, if any, will be filed against the missing driver in this fatal accident once police locate him or her. Regardless, the seriously injured victims and the family of the deceased driver retain the right to file personal injury or wrongful death claims, as applicable, against the party or parties deemed responsible. Establishing the negligence of one or more parties involved in this hit-and-run tragedy could lead to a Louisiana court ordering an award of damages to defray the financial losses incurred in its aftermath.

Source: katc.com, “Abbeville woman dies in Kaplan hit-and-run crash”, Dec. 7, 2015