It seems as if there is a disturbing trend emerging across the country involving wrong-way drivers. Recent reports cite a number of car accidents when someone is either narrowly missed or hit by one of the reckless drivers. Just outside New Orleans on I-10 this weekend, a driver going the wrong way crashed into another car and the results were fatal.

The tragedy with accidents such as these is that oftentimes, victims of the accident can do very little to avoid them. Besides not being able to anticipate the presence a wrong-way driver, a victim may have no place to go in order to get out of the way.

In this case, the dangerous driver was headed eastbound in the westbound lane when he or she crashed into another vehicle carrying four people. All five people were killed in the accident. The accident also triggered additional crashes that resulted in minor injuries.

Police say they had been receiving reports about the driver prior to the accident, but were unable to stop the driver in time. They also say they are unsure where and how the driver entered the interstate.

Because the results of this accident were fatal, it is not known if any charges will be filed. Damages may be sought, depending on the outcome of the investigation that is ongoing. In similar situations involving a wrong-way driver, there is often alcohol or other substances involved. The driver is typically arrested or cited for reckless driving, and any injuries that were suffered varied from minor to very serious. In some cases, the driver's privileges are suspended or revoked.

Source: CBS News, "5 killed in wrong-way crash on I-10 in Louisiana," Feb. 11, 2012