Suspected DUI Accident Leaves Motorcyclist Dead in Bossier Parish – Louisiana Families Want Answers When It Comes to Justice Against Drunk and Dangerous Drivers

A motorcyclist was fatally hit by an allegedly drunk driver in Bossier Parish last week, and Louisiana families are asking for clarification when it comes to their rights and options against the drunk and intoxicated drivers that kill their loved ones. According to local news reports, on Saturday, July 5, just after the Independence Day Holiday, 24-year-old Scarlett Jackson, from Mansfield, is alleged to have hit 41-year-old Byron Smith, of Shreveport, in a private driveway. The terrible and fatal motorcycle-involved accident occurred at 5:30 p.m. in the area of a private driveway located on Airline Drive and North Willow Drive in Bossier Parish. Investigators believe that Jackson “made a right turn into a private driveway from the left lane and collided with the motorcycle and a vehicle exiting the private driveway.” Although Smith was reported to have been wearing a DOT-approved helmet, he was ejected from the motorcycle and he was killed. Both Jackson and the other vehicle that was exiting the driveway at the time of the accident were not injured in the accident. Investigators believed that Jackson was impaired at the time of the accident and Jackson was placed under arrest for vehicular homicide, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to yield. The Louisiana State Police said of the fatal suspected DUI accident, “Alcohol and drug impairment remain a contributing factor in nearly half of all fatal crashes in Louisiana. These substances severely impact your awareness, decision-making abilities, and reaction times, leading to devastating consequences on the road. Troopers wish to remind motorists of the importance of making good decisions while operating a motor vehicle. Never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted, and obey all traffic laws. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions like these can mean the difference between life and death.”

Getting Answers After a Loved One is Killed by a Negligent or DUI Driver

Louisiana families want answers when it comes to justice against negligent and DUI drivers. Under Louisiana personal injury laws, when a loved one is killed by a negligent or DUI driver, certain close surviving members of their family have the right to file a lawsuit in court for money compensation. These are called wrongful death actions. There is a limited time to file a wrongful death action in Louisiana, so it is best to speak with an experienced Louisiana personal injury lawyer as soon as possible about your rights and options under Louisiana laws after a fatal accident occurs.

If your loved one was killed due to another driver’s negligent or intoxicated driving, do not hesitate to learn about your rights under Louisiana wrongful death laws today. The experienced Louisiana personal injury lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC are here to help Louisiana families get justice. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today and speak with a lawyer about your case now.

Source:

ksla.com/2025/07/06/suspected-impaired-driver-arrested-following-fatal-crash/