Impaired driving is one of the main causes of motor vehicle crashes. A horrific car accident left five people dead and two injured in Louisiana. According to state police, the accident happened between a pickup truck and a car.

Police say that the man driving the pickup truck hit a car that was carrying seven people. Five of the seven were killed instantly, and the other two passengers, both teenagers, were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The pickup driver reportedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

A spokesman for the Louisiana State Police says that the driver who caused the accident was drunk. His blood alcohol level was reportedly almost twice the legal limit. The driver's blood alcohol content was said to be 0.15 percent. The legal limit in Louisiana is .08. Prior to this accident, the man was reportedly arrested at least three times previously for drunk driving.

The driver was arrested just hours after the Louisiana car accident. He was booked on five counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of first-degree vehicular negligent injury, and one count each of second-offense DWI, reckless operation and driving left of center. The man was released from prison after his family posted bond of more than $256,000, but considering the man's negligence left five people dead, should he have been allowed out of prison?

In this case, an impaired Louisiana driver caused a fatal car accident that has spawned tragic results for those who were injured and the families of those who were killed. Perhaps the most tragic part of the accident is realizing how easily the accident could have been avoided.

The families are certainly concerned with the investigation into the cause of the crash and may consider seeking damages to cover medical expenses, funeral costs, and pain and suffering. Although nothing can bring back those lost in this horrible incident, it can only be hoped that the families find the will and the strength to cope with their tragedy and find a way to honor the lives lost and to ultimately achieve some sense of peace.

Source: KATC.com, "Man Accused in Fatal Crash was Drunk," Sharlee Barriere, June 2, 2012