Louisiana § RS 14:39.2 - First degree vehicular negligent injuring
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:39.2 — First degree vehicular negligent injuring, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 14:39.2. First degree vehicular negligent injuring
A. First degree vehicular negligent injuring is the inflicting of serious bodily injury upon the person of a human being when caused proximately or caused directly by an offender engaged in the operation of, or in actual physical control of, any motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other means of conveyance whenever any of the following conditions exists:
(1) The offender is impaired by alcoholic beverages.
(2) The offender's blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent or more by weight based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood.
(3)(a) The offender is impaired by any other drug, combination of drugs, or combination of alcohol and drugs.
(b) As used in this Section, the term "drug" means any substance or combination of substances that, when taken into the human body, can impair the ability of the person to operate a vehicle safely.
(4), (5) Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 662, §3.
B. The violation of a statute or ordinance shall be considered only as presumptive evidence of negligence as set forth in Subsection A.
C. Repealed by Acts 2019, No. 2, §3.
D.(1) Whoever commits the crime of first degree vehicular negligent injuring shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than ten years, or both.
(2) Whoever commits the crime of first degree vehicular negligent injuring and who had either a blood alcohol concentration, at the time of the commission of the offense, of at least 0.15 percent by weight based on grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood, or has a prior conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars and imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than two years nor more than ten years. At least two years of the sentence imposed shall be served without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. During any period of probation, the court shall order the offender to participate in a court-approved substance abuse treatment program and may require successful completion of a court-approved driver improvement program.
Acts 1995, No. 403, §1, eff. June 17, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1021, §1, eff. July 11, 1997; Acts 2001, No. 781, §1, eff. Sept. 30, 2003; Acts 2001, No. 1163, §5; Acts 2003, No. 758, §1, eff. Sept. 30, 2003; Acts 2019, No. 2, §3; Acts 2024, No. 523, §1; Acts 2024, No. 662, §§1, 3.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 14:39.2
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:39.2 cover?
Section RS 14:39.2 ("First degree vehicular negligent injuring") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 14:39.2?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 14:39.2" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 14:39.2 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.