Troopers Say Reckless Driving Leads to Fatal Accident on I-10

The driver of an 18-wheeler died in a recent crash on westbound Interstate 10. The Louisiana State Police report that this fatal accident, which involved the pickup truck and two semi-trucks, was the result of reckless driving. The driver believed responsible fled the scene, but was recently located in a neighboring state.
The 26-year-old truck driver that died was traveling west on I-10, next to another semi-truck. A pickup truck attempted to pass both trucks on the shoulder. In order to avoid slamming into the guardrail, the pickup driver suddenly swerved back into the lanes of the roadway and struck the left front of the big rig in the right lane. That impact caused the truck in the right lane to hit the truck in the left lane.
The truck in the left lane was thrown through and over the concrete barrier and down into Pearl River. The driver succumbed to the injuries he suffered in the crash before emergency personnel could get to him. The 25-year-old driver of the pickup truck believed responsible for the accident did not remain at the scene. He was later apprehended in Mississippi and faces numerous felony charges, including negligent homicide, here in Louisiana.
Reports indicate that he will be extradited from Mississippi soon. Not only does the driver face criminal charges in connection with this fatal accident, but he may also face civil actions from the family of the deceased truck driver and possibly the other truck driver. If negligence is proved, the court may award damages that could supplement applicable workers’ compensation benefits.