| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 2234 | 2013-09-29 | Troop C | *Update* Alcohol Impairment Leads to the Death of Two Passengers in Lafourche Parish |
TROOP C - NEWS RELEASE September 29, 2013 *Update* Alcohol Impairment Leads to the Death of Two Passengers in Lafourche Parish The right rear passenger in the 2005 Mercury Marquis was Cari Scofield (W/F age 27) of Houma, LA, and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office. Bourg, LA- Shortly before 1:30 PM this afternoon, Louisiana State Police Troop C investigated a single vehicle crash on LA 24 near the community of Grand Bois where an impaired driver killed two passengers after almost striking an eighteen wheeler head-on. The investigation revealed that a 2005 Mercury Marquis was traveling south on LA 24 about to enter the community of Grand Bois in Lafourche Parish. The vehicle was being driven by Jimmy Vizinat (W/M age 36) of Larose, LA. As the Marquis was traveling south on LA 24 it crossed the center line into the path of an oncoming eighteen wheeler. The right front passenger reached across the vehicle and jerked the steering wheel to the right in order to avoid hitting the eighteen wheeler head-on. The Marquis avoided the eighteen wheeler and traveled off the right side of the road where it struck a tree on the passenger side of the vehicle. The two passengers on the right side of the Marquis sustained fatal injuries in the crash. The right front passenger Patricia Vega (W/F age 42) of Houma, LA, was pronounced dead on the scene by the Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office. The right rear passenger (name will be released when notification is made to the family) was pronounced dead on the scene by the Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office. Three other passengers in the Marquis were transported to Terrebonne General Hospital with minor injuries. Vizinat was not injured in the crash. Seat Belt usage for all the occupants of the Marquis is unknown at this time. Vizinat submitted to a breath test and was found to be over the legal limit of .08g%. Vizinat was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center and charged with 2 counts of Vehicular Homicide, 3 counts of Vehicular Negligent Injuring, Driving Left of Center, and No Driver’s License. This crash remains under investigation. Troopers remind everyone to remain safe on the roads and never get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you have had any alcoholic beverages. Remember, a designated driver is a driver who has had no alcoholic beverages. While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Louisiana law requires every vehicle occupant, front seat and back seat, to be properly restrained day or night. Taking the time to buckle up every trip and every time is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Motorists that witness hazardous situations are urged to call *LSP (*577) and report that activity to the Louisiana State Police. Contact Information: Tfc. Evan Harrell Public Information Officer Louisiana State Police – Troop C Office- (985) 857-3680 Cell- (985) 855-0241 Evan.Harrell@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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