A Louisiana car crash claimed the lives of five members of a Texas family enroute to a Disney World vacation. Investigators suspect that the 16-year old who was driving may have fallen asleep before the crash, according to the USA Today
.
Louisiana Car Crash Details
On Nov. 19, 2014, Michael and Trudi Hardman along with six children were traveling on Interstate 20 near Calhoun on their way to Disney World. The group, who were from Terrell, Texas, were riding in a 2005 Chevy Tahoe when the couple’s son, Andrew Hardman, lost control and entered the median. The teen then over-corrected and the vehicle began flipping. Six of the eight people in the vehicle were ejected and five of those six died. None of those ejected was wearing a seatbelt. Both parents were among those who died, along with three children in the vehicle: Kaci Hardman, 4; Adam Hardman, 7; and Dakota Watson, 15. Andrew was wearing a seatbelt and suffered minor injuries. Two additional passengers, Hunter Watson and Aaron Hardman, both 12, were taken to area hospitals with moderate injuries after the Louisiana car crash.
Community Teachers Lost
Michael Hardman was a second grade teacher at J.F. Kennedy Elementary School while his wife, Trudi, was a kindergarten teacher with the Wills Point School District. Louisiana police said that a Louisiana car crash such as the one that involved the Hardman’s did not just affect those in the vehicle. Family members, friends, first responders and the community are all affected when a tragedy such as this crash occurs. They said that the family was active in school and with the Wills Point Baseball Association. Trudi’s Facebook page said she was “proud to be a Disney addict.” Many in the community said that they are heartbroken and that their deaths were a huge loss to their hometown. Many people in Louisiana also expressed sincere sorrow after the Louisiana car crash.
Driver Citation Dismissed
Police said they did not believe the young driver was impaired, although they did perform toxicology tests as a precaution. He was initially was cited for careless operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor traffic violation, but the prosecuting attorney dismissed those charges. Initial reports indicated that he had been charged with a felony, prompting outrage from the community who felt that the young man shouldn’t receive harsh punishment for his mistake. Friends of the family said that the Hardman’s had considered the visit to Disney World to be the “trip of a lifetime.”
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Louisiana Car Crash?
If you or a loved one have been injured in a Louisiana car crash, or if a loved one has died from injuries in a Louisiana car crash, contact Attorney Group for Louisiana for a no-obligation consultation regarding a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Attorney Group for Louisiana can evaluate your case with no out-of-pocket cost to you and refer you to one of our affiliated attorneys who can pursue a claim. You may be entitled to a monetary compensation for your loss.
