A fatal accident in Louisiana resulted in the death of a 57-year-old motorcycle driver. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fatal accident.
The two-vehicle accident took place early morning on Louisiana Highway 379. According to the troopers conducting the investigation, an 18-wheeler going east had come to a stop at a railroad crossing, in accordance with regulations. The 18-wheeler had started driving away from the crossing when two vehicles attempted to pass it.
According to officials, the first vehicle successfully passed the 18-wheeler. However, the 16-year-old driver of a Chrysler 300 was not as successful. She struck a westbound Harley Davidson head-on.
The 57-year-old man was wearing a motorcycle helmet. Unfortunately, officials from the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced the man dead at the scene as a result of his injuries.
The female driver was wearing a seat belt and received only minor injuries. So far, she has only been charged with improper passing with the possibility of facing additional charges. All drivers submitted routine toxicology samples which will be analyzed during the investigation.
The sudden death of a loved one places an emotional toll on the survivors. The loss can never be replaced by any monetary amount. However, if the victim was the breadwinner of the family, there is an additional financial strain that can hamper the grieving process. If the decedent was the victim of a wrongful death, the family members can bring a claim against the driver to recover compensation for lost wages that could ease their financial burden.
Source: Sulphur Daily News, “Two vehicle accident claims life of Westlake man,” March 27, 2012
