Louisiana State Police report that a 15-year-old male was fatally injured in a crash in Loranger when he was partially ejected from the right rear window of a Hummer on Oct. 22. According to news sources, an unlicensed 17-year-old driver was behind the wheel of the vehicle in which the deceased teenager was riding when the deadly collision with a Freightliner fertilizer spreader truck took place at the intersection of LA 442 and LA 40.

Troopers have determined that the male passenger was unrestrained during the crash sequence that ended when the Hummer was flipped onto its right side. He was transported to North Oaks Health Systems by Acadian Air Med, but the critically hurt teenager succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.

The driver of the Hummer was charged with not having a driver’s license and failure to yield. The driver’s mother, who was also in traveling in the Hummer when the incident happened, was cited for allowing her unlicensed daughter to drive.

Louisiana authorities do not believe that alcohol is a factor in this case but have obtained blood samples from both of the cited parties for crime lab analysis. Because the investigation is not complete, it is not clear whether further charges will be filed. Regardless of the outcome in the criminal proceedings, the deceased teen’s surviving family members may choose to seek compensation for the losses that they have sustained through a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the driver and her mother. Damages that are often requested in these types of civil lawsuits often include loss of companionship and financial contribution.

Source: KLFY.com, “Unlicensed 17 year old crashes hummer, kills rear seat passenger,” Oct. 22, 2016