A Death Behind the Wheel

Vehicular homicide is a killing caused by a driver, whether or not the driver meant to cause death or great bodily harm, when impairment was a contributing factor: impairment by alcohol or another drug, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more, or any detectable amount of an unprescribed controlled substance.

• §La. R.S. 14:32.1StatuteVehicular homicideOpens legis.la.gov ↗

• The fine is $2,000 to $15,000, and the term is 5 to 30 years.
• At least 3 years are served without probation, parole or suspension of sentence, and at least 5 years at 0.15 percent or more or after an earlier impaired driving conviction.
• Above 0.20 percent, the offender is sentenced as one convicted of a crime of violence.
• Where two or more people die, each death is sentenced separately and the sentences run one after the other.

• §La. R.S. 14:32.1StatuteVehicular homicideOpens legis.la.gov ↗