Driver Responsible For Endymion Crash May Only Get 5 Years

25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto has been accused of getting drunk, getting into his car, and plowing into a Mardi Gras Celebration.  28 people were injured, 2 severely, and 21 had to be transported to area hospitals.  New Orleans police now say that his blood alcohol content was .232, nearly three times the legal limit (.08).

According to legal analyst Tim Meche, Neilson could only serve 5 years - even if the judge throws the book at him.  Mr. Rizzuto has only been charged with negligent vehicular injury, a hit and run with serious injury, and reckless operation.  The maximum punishment in jail time is 5 years.  Why?  Because (fortunately) no one died.

Even though at least 28 injuries were reported, Neilson only faces 2 counts of negligent injuring for two serious injuries - according to the police report. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be added.  It definitely highlights the dangers of Mardi Gras parades with vehicles allowed so close to the route where people in attendance are imbibing ludicrous amounts of alcohol.