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Catahoula Corrections Inmate Van Involved in Wreck

Saturday, July 24, 2010 - David W. Ryan

Catahoula Corrections Warden Pat Book said a Friday afternoon’s accident which injured 10 inmates and two guards, “…could have been a lot worst but we were fortunate.” The wreck, which occurred around 3:30 PM at the Interstate 49/Grand Coteau intersection, involved the prison’s inmate transportation van and a car.

“I went down last night and picked up our inmates and our two guards,” Warden Book explained. “They were all treated at four area hospitals for minor injuries and released to me.”

Warden Book noted the two guards, Debra Book and Bobby Workman, also suffered minor injuries but are back home resting. An initial report had one guard sustaining a serious head injury and was transported by Acadiana Medical Services helicopter.

The van was returning to Catahoula from picking up inmates to re-locate from Terrebonne Parish according to Warden Book. He also noted the driver of the car was a Honduran who had an international driver’s license.

Patrolman Kenneth Lee with the Grand Coteau Police Department said the van was heading north on the Interstate 49 North Service Road at its intersection with La. 93, and was about to enter the on-ramp to I-49. Lee said the driver of the van apparently didn't see the car, which was heading west on La. 93, and the van pulled into the car's path.

The force of the impact flipped the van, which landed on the side of the road on its roof.

Lee said the driver of the car will be charged with driving without a license, while the driver of the van will be charged with failure to yield.

(Editor's note: portions of this story came from the Lafayette Daily Advertiser.)

 

 

 


 

 

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