The 25-year-old son of a well-known New Orleans doctor will spend four years in prison for a 2009 automobile accident in which he ran over a Metairie man on Tchoupitoulas Street. In March 2009, Abhishek Bhansali swerved his car into the wrong lane against traffic and struck the 34-year-old victim. Bhansali’s blood alcohol content was .128. The victim died at the scene.
Authorities initially charged Bhansali with vehicular homicide, but a plea bargain reduced the charge to negligent homicide. As part of the plea, Bhansali does not admit guilt, but concedes there is strong evidence for a conviction. The maximum sentence was five years in prison.
Last November, the victim’s widow told the criminal court judge that she forgave Bhansali and did not want him to spend time in prison. She settled the civil lawsuit against Bhansali for $400,000, which also established trust funds for her two children.
A victim’s advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving was at the hearing and said a reduced charge should not result from a victim’s relative forgiving the defendant. Sheriff’s deputies immediately took Bhansali into custody despite his attorney’s request that he report to jail in two weeks.
Car accidents can have devastating effects on the victim and his or her family. Contact a New Orleans injury lawyer if you suffer injuries in an auto accident. A free consultation with a New Orleans injury attorney is the first step in helping you get the financial compensation you deserve. Get a free case review from a Louisiana accident attorney.