On Friday, a truck driver trying to pass a car to avoid a rear-end collision struck the same car anyway, killing two women and injuring another two, according to Louisiana State Police.

The truck accident occurred east of Kentwood, Louisiana, in Tangipahoa Parish. At the time, four women were inside of a Lincoln sedan. The car was stopped along Louisiana Route 38 and waiting to make a left turn into a driveway.

At the same time, a semitrailer was traveling down the road, and the 50-year-old driver claims to have not seen the stopped car until it was almost too late. To try to avoid a crash, the driver steered the truck to the left, driving into the wrong lane in an attempt to pass the sedan. But, it appears the driver of the sedan didn't see the truck and began to turn left into the driveway. The truck barreled into the car.

In the back seat of the Lincoln were a 74-year-old and 73-year-old. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The 66-year-old driver and her 75-year-old passenger, who were in the front seats of the car, also suffered serious injuries.

According to police, after the accident, the 50-year-old driver of the 18-wheeler was jailed and booked on two counts of negligent homicide and two counts of negligent injuring.

As of now police do not believe that alcohol or drugs played a role in this tragic accident, although it has not been altogether ruled out. State police are still performing toxicology tests on both of the drivers.

When looking at this case, one has to wonder why the truck driver did not see the stopped car. Was he really speeding and did not have enough time to react? Or maybe he was fatigued or distracted?

And while in this case the driver is already facing criminal charges, it is important to remember that the two women who were injured -- and the family of the deceased -- may also decide to file a civil lawsuit.

Source: The Advocate, "Two die in wreck near Kentwood," Jan. 29, 2012