2 crashes over the weekend kill 8 in La.
Posted: Oct 4, 2009 6:11 PM
Updated: Oct 4, 2009 6:12 PM
GIBSON, La. (AP) - Two separate crashes over the weekend killed eight people in Louisiana, the latest on Sunday morning, when four teens died and a fifth was critically injured when a stolen car ran off a curve and hit a tree, police said.
All five people in the car were from Gibson, said state Trooper Gilbert Dardar Jr. It was the second wreck in two days to kill four people.
In Baton Rouge, four people from Ashburn, Ga., died after their pickup truck was hit from behind and burst into flames early Friday. The truck had stopped because of road construction, police said.
The only person in the truck who survived, driver Rito Gomez, 22, also of Ashburn, was in critical condition Sunday, state police Lt. David Conaway said.
Police said Dwayne Leggett, 30, of Baton Rouge was booked with negligent homicide, negligent injuring and careless driving.
State police said Jacqueline Gomez, 35, Sonia Gomez Brionca, 27, and Gomez-Brionca's daughter, Alondra Brionca, 2, died at or soon after the crash; Maria Barrios, 54, died later that night at Baton Rouge General Mid City Medical Center Burn Unit.
In a ninth death, state police said Jimmy Nicholas, 28, of Abbeville was killed Saturday when he ran a stop sign on his ATV, swerved to avoid a pickup truck, and was thrown off the ATV and into the side of the pickup.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Terry at Oct 4th 2009 11:05 PM
When are people down here going to finally realize that it is illegal to drive an ATV, four-wheeler, golf cart, mini-bike or anything vehicle related on public roadways and streets? It amazes me the number of parents that allow their children to ride golf carts through their neighborhoods. I'm sure they think that it's cute but, hello! You/they are breaking the law.
Dozens upon dozens of times I witnessed 4-5 kids crammed in a glof cart, flying down the streets in my neighborhood. Sometimes the parent is driving. Oh yes, that makes it safer. Some of these kids are as young as five and six. How do I know? They are kids in my neighborhood.
ATV's, mini dirt bikes, four wheelers. All day everyday.
Does anyone remember the beautiful young girls that were killed not long ago in Jennings? They too were riding an ATV in the road. And if you think that living in the country makes it OK, you are highly mistaken.
Wakeup people. When your kid comes around the corner, driving five other little ones on a golf cart and is too busy giggling and laughing at what his friends are doing in the backseat, I hope he's mature enough to make a split decision when a car coming from the opposite direction isn't prepared to stop in time.
Mark at Oct 5th 2009 7:35 AM
May God bless their souls and may they rest in peace.