Second lawsuit filed against DOTD says agency knew La. 1 dangerous
ADDIS — Relatives of a woman killed in a wreck at an intersection that area residents describe as hazardous sued the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development on Monday.
The lawsuit was filed in 18th Judicial District Court on behalf of the daughters of Ann Hope Browne, the sister
of LSU football coach Les Miles.
The lawsuit asserts the state knew the intersection at La. 1 and Sugar Plantation Parkway was dangerous but failed to address it.
It is the second lawsuit filed against the state this month related to traffic deaths at the intersection.
A spokeswoman for the state Attorney General’s Office, Amanda Larkins, declined to comment on the pending litigation Monday.
Browne was eastbound on Sugar Plantation Parkway on April 22, 2011, when her vehicle collided with Jeffrey B. Hale, who was southbound on La. 1, the lawsuit said.
Browne was killed instantly.
An attorney representing Jessica Hope Browne and Kate Nicole Browne, Frank Tomney, said DOTD had evidence the intersection was unsafe due to a number of wrecks that occurred at the crossing prior to Anne Hope Browne’s death.
Tomeny also filed a lawsuit last week on behalf of Albert M. Boudreaux Jr., his wife, Elise Jean Boudreaux, and her mother, Thelma Bizette.
The three Pointe Coupee Parish residents were involved in a wreck at the intersection on Dec. 17.
Bizette and Elise Jean Boudreaux died at the scene, and Albert Boudreaux died from his injuries on Feb. 1
DOTD addressed the intersection in January by lowering the speed limit, adjusting road striping and increasing signage.
In March, the agency installed a traffic light that residents and Addis Mayor
Carroll Bourgeois had requested.