On Wednesday, March 25, a woman who killed two children in an accident was fined $175.
Shawnette B. Taylor, aged 48, from Prairieville, went off the side of a narrow road known as La. 928. Her 2004 Nissan Armada went down the embankment off the southbound lane, continued about 100 to 200 feet and ran into a family who were fishing. The accident killed Sarai “Ladybug” Lanus, aged 9, and her brother, Daylon “Duce” Lanus, aged 6, both of Geismar. It also injured their father, David Linus and his cousins, who were also in the group.
Police said that Taylor was not on her cell phone nor intoxicated at the time of the accident and was driving within the speed limit.
On October 10 last year the Ascension Parish grand jury refused to indict Taylor on two counts of negligent homicide, finding the gross negligence necessary for the criminal counts did not occur in the crash. State Police did find probable cause for a careless operation charge because Taylor failed to maintain control of her vehicle and ran off the road.
On Wednesday Taylor pleaded no contest to a careless operation charge and the judge said that it was a tragic case giving her the maximum fine of $175 plus court costs, which she has until May 27 to pay. If Taylor does not pay the fine, she will be sentenced to 30 days in jail.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have lost a loved love in a fatal auto accident, the legal issues you are facing are complex, but you don’t have to face it alone. Please, call the Lafayette accident claims attorneys of Larry Curtis Law at 800-836-2064 today or contact us online right away.