A Louisiana Assistant District Attorney allegedly slammed his boat into three young children on a raft in the water and left without checking on them. Two of the trio were reported as being badly injured and hospitalized.
64-year-old Chris Richard lives in Carencro, Louisiana. He is employed as an Assistant District Attorney in Lafayette Parish.
On August 8, Richard was reportedly driving a 20-foot pontoon party boat in the False River.
Three children, ages 8, 11, and 14, were floating together on a tube while a boat pulled them through the water.
The pontoon Richard was captaining allegedly struck the tube that the children were riding. The youngsters were injured and required medical attention. One of the youngsters was so severely hurt they had to be airlifted to Baton Rouge.
A person who reportedly saw the incident take place reported that the people on the pontoon jumped into the water after the children’s float was struck. He said they returned to their vessel so quickly that he was convinced no one had checked on the young alleged victims.
The sheriff reported that during the initial investigation, they believed that Richard had gotten off the boat briefly to check on the kids before getting back on his boat.
Some of the witnesses and several members of the community expressed frustration as they theorized why it was taking so long to make an arrest after Richards was identified.
On August 16, more than a week after the incident, Richards turned himself in for the allegations.
He was arrested by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and detained on a $40,000 bond. Richards was released from incarceration a few hours later.
The 8-year-old who was transported by helicopter was diagnosed with a fractured pelvis. It was reported that he will need ongoing care for his injuries.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.