A three-vehicle crash in Ouachita Parish has resulted in one fatality, according to state police. Louisiana authorities have confirmed the death of a 69-year-old man, who was killed in the morning crash. Car accidents of this type can be caused by a variety of factors, and police have not ruled anything out at this time, though they have mentioned they do not believe intoxication was a factor.
According to the accident report, police responded to reports of a crash on LA 34 around 10:45 a.m. It appears a 19-year-old driver was headed west on LA 34, crossed the center line of the highway and entered the eastbound lanes. It is not yet clear what prompted this decision on the part of the driver. As a result, his vehicle collided with an eastbound passenger car driven by a 69-year-old man.
A third vehicle, driven by a 25-year-old man, was behind the eastbound car when the crash occurred, causing a secondary impact. The force of the three-car collision caused fatal injury to the 69-year-old, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two drivers were transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries described as minor. So far, police have not chosen to file charges against the 19-year-old.
This does not mean their decision is final. Car accidents, especially those causing fatalities, undergo intense scrutiny in order for Louisiana authorities to properly determine where the fault for the accident lay. However, even if they choose not to pursue criminal charges, the family of the deceased man as well as the other injured man are entitled under state law to take their grievances to civil court in the form of wrongful death and/or personal injury lawsuits.
