Sleeping teen critically injured after alleged drunken driver crashes into bedroom, family says

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) – A sleeping teenager in New Orleans was critically injured when an alleged drunk driver lost control of an SUV and crashed into the bedroom of a home, according to authorities.

The crash occurred around 4:02 am on Sunday at a house on the corner of Cerise Avenue and Chef Menteur Highway.

“All we heard was, 'Stand still! Stand still!' They were talking about, 'Get out of the car! Get out of the car!'” said a younger cousin, home at the time of the crash.

Family members identified the injured teen as 15-year-old Jamal Jackson, a 10th-grade student at Edna Karr High School, WVUE reported.

Jackson's family told WVUE that he's active with the school's football, band and drill teams.

The extent of Jackson's injuries was not immediately known. His family said they haven't been allowed to see him in the intensive care unit, but his grandmother said Jackson is currently on a respirator to assist with his breathing.

Police identified the SUV's driver as 53-year-old Cedrick Marshall.

Authorities said Marshall remained at the crash scene and was arrested after allegedly failing a field sobriety test.

“They took him out of the car and put him in handcuffs,” said Jackson’s grandmother, Alicia Patterson. “I was trying to get my baby. I was trying to help them get him from under the car.”

Marshall is being treated at a hospital for possible injuries but would be booked with first-degree vehicular negligent injury and reckless operation of a motor vehicle upon his discharge to police custody.

No other occupants of the house were injured, police said.

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