Accident Involving Two Drunk Drivers

03:37 PM CDT on Sunday, August 2, 2009

WWLTV.com

METAIRIE, La. – Three people are in the hospital after an accident involving intoxicated drivers, according to Troop B spokesman Joseph Piglia.

The accident happened early Saturday around 5:15 a.m. on Airline Highway.

Santos Garcia, 28, was stopped at a red light at the corner of Airline and Manson Avenue when Craig Codina, 25, rammed into the back of Garcia’s car with his pick-up truck while “traveling at a high rate of speed,” Piglia said.

Both Garcia and a passenger in the car, Sandra Stevens, suffered severe injuries and are in critical condition in University Hospital. Codina was also injured in the accident and was transported to University Hospital, where he is in serious condition.

Piglia said an investigation revealed both drivers were impaired at the time of the accident, with both getting DWIs. Codina was also charged with two counts of vehicular negligent injuring and reckless operation of a motor vehicle, Piglia said.