A drunk driver in Gretna crashed through a homeowner’s bedroom before fleeing the scene in his vehicle and injuring a family of six, including four children, in a separate accident just a few moments later. The drunk driver’s blood alcohol content registered .317, nearly four times the legal limit. No…
Lafayette recently ranked second in binge drinking in the state. The Lafayette binge drinking rate (binge drinking is defined as five drinks for a man and four drinks for a woman in a single sitting) was 21%. St. James Parish ranked first with a close rate of 25%. Festivals, football,…
A recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention study reveals that oil and gas industry workers are seven times more likely to be killed while working than all other workers in the United Sates. Offshore fatalities from 2003-2010 were used in the study, based on data from the Bureau of…
The collision of two 18-wheelers between Exit 3 and Exit 5 of Interstate 20 in Shreveport leaves one driver dead. According to police, a rig carrying empty water bottles was rear-ended by another 18-wheeler. The second driver did not survive. Accidents involving 18-wheelers can be especially catastrophic. The average 18-wheeler…
Two fuel barges carrying natural gas exploded in Mobile, Alabama. The explosions resulted in the evacuation of a nearby docked cruise ship and critical burns on at least three individuals. The barges, owned by a Houston company, were in Mobile for cleaning and had been carrying natural gasoline. Accidents on…
A bill prohibiting the use of social media sites while driving was passed by the Louisiana Senate Wednesday. The bill by Senator Dale Erdey is designed to further prevent accidents caused by distracted drivers. Louisiana Law currently prohibits drivers from reading or sending text messages while driving. Senate Bill 147…
A recently released report indicates that Lafayette’s “red-light camera” programs have reduced crashes across the city. The report monitored intersections for three years before the cameras were installed and then for three years after the installation of the cameras. By the end of the study, they found that the presence…
In the weeks following the Triumph’s return to shore, several passengers have filed lawsuits against Carnival Corporation. In their complaints, passengers allege that Carnival “recklessly and intentionally” risked their lives on board the Triumph. The passengers further allege that Carnival “knew or should have known” that the cruise ship would…
The Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeals clarified the standard of care to be used in medical malpractice cases involving hospitals and their employees. In Crockham v. Thompson, the Second Circuit ruled that hospitals should be held to a national standard of care in actions for medical malpractice. The Second…
A barge carrying more than 80,000 gallons of oil hit a railroad bridge Sunday near Vicksburg, spilling oil into the Mississippi River. A second barge was also damaged following the accident. No injuries were reported, and authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. By its very nature, maritime work…