Three years in jail and two of house arrest, according to Judge Ellen Kovach of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Excerpt:
Authorities charged [Carol] Banks with vehicular homicide after blood test results revealed a high level of dextromethorphan in her body. Dextromethorphan is used in cough syrups and can cause hallucinations.
Nelson and Shirley Faucheaux, both 72, of Pauline and their son, Gerard Faucheaux, 42, of Meadville, Miss., were killed in the crash on Interstate 10 at Loyola Drive in Kenner.
Banks was convicted of negligent homicide. Gerard Faucheux was a friend of mine. He was driving his parents to the doctor. Gerard left behind a widow and four children.
Louisiana law provides for up to five years in jail for those convicted of negligent homicide. Carol Banks did not get enough time behind bars. House arrest? Please.
Its not about what three lives are worth. If it was, we would summarily execute those who, directly or indirectly, cause the death of another: accidental, intentional or unintentional, voluntary or involuntary, negligent, premeditated or in the heat of passion, life for a life.
Under our jurisprudence, the culpability of the person who causes the death is also relevant. Was this person overdosing on the medication in question? Did they know it could cause drowsiness? Does it, normally? Did they know they were impaired? The jury, and the sentencing judge, no doubt had a lot more facts at their disposal. But based on what is presented here, that driver could have been innocent of any crime at all.