Everyone in Lake Charles should know how important it is to pay attention to the road while driving. There have been stories of people in Louisiana and across the country who become distracted by something, often a phone or text message, and end up causing serious accidents. Unfortunately, there is more than just a cellphone that can distract a young driver and, in this story, a 17-year-old driver seems to have turned around to get something in the backseat, sending her car off the road and into a tree.
The two passengers were injured in the accident and immediately taken to the hospital. As the two teenage girls recover from such a horrific accident, they should be able to hold the driver’s estate responsible for their pain and suffering. If the 17-year-old had kept her eyes on the road, the car would not have hurtled toward the tree line.
The accident happened on Interstate 12 near Tangipahoa Parish, says Louisiana State Police. Investigators believe the woman had turned around to grab something in the backseat and as she started to drift to the left, she overcorrected to the right. The teenager then lost control of her car and she smashed into a tree.
The 16- and 18-year-old passengers were taken to two different hospitals in Covington and were admitted with moderate injuries. It is unknown how long it will be before the teenagers will be released or until they are able to resume normal activities.
This story reminds us that even the smallest distraction can lead to serious injuries.
Source: The Times-Picayune, “St. Tammany car crash killed promising Ponchatoula High student, ROTC cadet,” Ramon Antonio Vargas, Jan. 31, 2012
