NOLA may be known as a city of partying, but that doesn’t mean you can drive drunk without consequences. One driver found that out after allegedly causing a three-car wreck on I-10 near Canal Street. NOLA.com reported on the incident.
Police say that Stephen Rankin was above the legal limit for alcohol consumption after he caused a three-car wreck. He has been charged with vehicular homicide and first-degree vehicular negligent injury.
According to their story, he was speeding in the center lane near the Canal Street exit just before 4 AM. He crashed into the back of a Toyota Camry, which then crashed into a third vehicle. The passenger in the Camry was pronounced dead after being taken to University Medical Center. The driver is still in critical condition.
Officers interviewed Rankin at the scene and smelled alcohol. He was arrested and taken to be tested. A chemical test sample showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.11%, which is above the 0.8% limit. He remains in custody.
Assuming he is convicted, he faces between five and 30 years of imprisonment. He may also face civil charges from the survivors of the crash. The slain passenger left behind two young children. We hope that they are able to get some sort of compensation for their loss after this horrible incident.
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