Man paralyzed in 1994 killed in traffic crash
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A man who was paralyzed from the chest down in a car wreck 15 years ago was killed late Thursday in a traffic crash on Interstate 110 near Airline Highway.
Bruce Chaisson, 33, 6924 Braswell Lane, Ethel, died at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center after the 2001 Dodge Caravan he was riding in slammed into the back of a 2004 Honda Civic, said Sgt. Don Kelly, a Baton Rouge police spokesman.
The woman who was driving the van — Christine Cooper Braud, 31, 3712 Robert Road, Zachary — was sending someone a text message when the accident occurred at 10:50 p.m., Kelly said. She also had been drinking, he said.
Police arrested Braud after she was released from a local hospital, Kelly said.
She was booked into Parish Prison on one count each of vehicular homicide, first-offense DWI, reckless operation of a vehicle, texting while driving, careless operation of a vehicle, no seat belt and first-degree negligent injuring.
Francisco Ramos, the driver of the Honda, suffered critical injuries in the crash and was being treated at a local hospital as of late Friday, Kelly said. Ramos’ age was not available, but his address was listed as 2014 E. Azalea Ave., Baker.
Investigators believe Ramos’ car was either stalled or moving slowly when the wreck occurred, Kelly said. But investigators are still looking into the incident and ask anyone who might have witnessed it to contact police at (225) 389-7819 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.
An affidavit of probable cause says Braud was hired to transport Chaisson. The affidavit also listed Braud’s place of employment as Care Incorporated, which is a Louisiana-based personal care company.
A woman with Care Incorporated declined to give her name when called on Friday and declined to confirm whether Braud is an employee.
A message left at the Ethel home of Chaisson’s parents was not returned.
The parents were interviewed by The Advocate in 2000 about their son and his life after becoming a quadriplegic.
Chaisson was paralyzed from the chest down in a July 4, 1994, car wreck. Two people were killed in the wreck, which occurred on U.S. 61 near Starhill when a truck hit the vehicle in which Chaisson was riding.
Chaisson, who once entertained thoughts of becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL, graduated from Zachary High School and was interested in computer-assisted design.
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