A 27-year-old man was charged with reckless operation after allegedly killing another driver in a car accident in Gonzales on Feb. 21. The crash occurred just past Louisiana 30 on Interstate 10 at about 5:15 a.m.
The 27-year-old was driving a 2003 Acura RSX when he struck a 2004 Isuzu Rodeo headed west on the interstate, and the collision sent the SUV into the air. The Isuzu landed next to the interstate in a grassy area located on Boudreaux Road. The 66-year-old driver of the SUV, who was from Baton Rouge, died even though he was wearing his seat belt when the crash occurred.
According to reports, the Acura driver was taken to the Gonzales Police Department for questioning after being looked at by St. Elizabeth’s Hospital staff. The driver reportedly told police he was speeding on his way to work. The man was also driving with a suspended license, and the Gonzales Police Department might issue additional charges later.
Families have no warning before their lives are changed by a motor vehicle accident and are often unsure about what to do when a loved one is suddenly killed. The expenses that add stress to an already difficult time can sometimes be taken care of by a wrongful death claim in civil court. This suit may allow a family to seek compensation for medical bills and funeral costs from a negligent driver.
Negligence occurs when a driver does not use the same reasonable amount of caution a responsible person would in a similar situation. When evidence shows that an accident was caused by behavior like speeding or ignoring traffic signals, a defendant might be liable for a family’s losses.
Source: NOLA, “Victim in fatal I-10 crash identified as 66-year-old Baton Rouge man; other driver charged with reckless operation,” Emily Lane, Feb. 22, 2015
