Louisiana police are in the process of investigating a crash that left one person dead and four others injured. This event occurred late in the morning of Nov. 5, in Calcasieu Parish. As is protocol following motor vehicle accidents like this, law enforcement authorities are looking into whether impairment was a factor in this incident.
According to reports, a 31-year-old male was driving his SUV eastbound on Gauthier Road when he ran a stop sign and struck a vehicle that was heading southbound on LA Highway 397. The driver of the SUV and his two passengers suffered moderate injuries and were transported to a hospital in Lake Charles. The driver of the impacted vehicle — a 50-year-old male, and his passenger — an 82-year-old female were also hurt and taken to a medical facility for treatment. Sadly, the elderly woman later died from her injuries. The current conditions of all others involved have not been reported.
So far, the driver believed responsible for this wreck was cited for failing to stop at the stop sign. Depending on the results of the investigation, he may face additional charges. Law enforcement authorities are supposedly waiting on toxicology reports before deciding what, if any, other charges are to be filed in this case.
Motor vehicle accidents that result in injury and fatality occur far too often in Louisiana. The victims of these events, or their surviving family members, may suffer numerous losses that may affect them for years to come. Thankfully, the state allows such individuals to seek compensation for their losses through legal means. In this particular case, the driver not responsible for the collision, along with the injured passengers and the family members of the deceased, may all look into filing civil claims — personal injury, wrongful death and any others that apply to their cases — in an effort to seek maximum relief for any damages sustained.