Ville Platte, LA — A local woman, 52-year old Arleen Soileau, was killed this past Friday evening after being hit head-on by another driver in Ville Platte. Police said that this happened at about 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening, January 30, 2015.
According to their reports, the driver who caused the accident might have been under the influence of alcohol. He was later identified as Michael Fontenot, 47 years old.
Police said that Fontenot was driving his Ford van along Chicot Park Road on Friday evening while Arleen Soileau was driving her Mazda sedan in the opposite direction. Near Lincoln Road, Mr. Fontenot apparently lost control of his van and swerved into oncoming traffic, where he crashed head-on into Soileau’s car.
The accident killed Mrs. Soileau immediately, but Fontenot had to be taken to a hospital very quickly to be treated for his injuries. Later, the police said they’d found an open container of alcohol in his van and said that they’d look into the possibility that this was an alcohol-related wreck.
Map of the Accident
View from the Road
Commentary:
Right now, I know that Louisiana’s laws regarding the sale and service of alcohol are quite a bit different from other states’ laws, like Texas. For example, Louisiana legislature reads that the “consumption” of alcohol is the proximate cause of injuries in an alcohol-related accident, not the “service” of alcohol. The distinction may be small, but it has massive effects. Essentially, the lawmakers are saying that a bartender can serve you all the beer/liquor/etc he wishes, your decision to drink them is what will get you in trouble if you decide to drive your car later and get into an accident.
At first, it makes sense, right? Everyone is responsible for their decisions. But, when you think about it, alcohol is a drug that affects your ability to make decisions. After drinking, say, your 5th beer, is it really a good idea to order another round for the table? In Texas, that’s where the bartender is supposed to cut you off, which I think is a good thing. If the bartender fails to do that and continues to serve you, despite being obviously intoxicated, you and the bar are partially liable if you get into an accident later as a result of your drunkenness.
I don’t know if alcohol was a factor here or if this person had even been at a bar, but I hope you are all seeing my point that it makes more sense to hold bars and establishments to a higher standard. It keeps everyone safer.
— Grossman Law Offices