City-Parish President Joey Durel's wife, who suffered 11 broken ribs, several with multiple fractures, in a head-on collision March 1, is now recovering at home. Now that his wife has been released from Our Lady of Lourdes, City-Parish President Joey Durel is for the first time speaking publicly about the extent of the injuries she suffered in a head-on collision the morning of March 1. The city official says his wife, Lynne, suffered 11 broken ribs, some with multiple fractures. She also had a laceration on her head and one on her wrist.
The four-car accident happened on Ambassador Caffery Parkway at Englewood Drive.
Lynne and Joey Durel and Mazie Movassaghi
Joey Durel says laparoscopic surgery, which was performed to determine the extent of internal bleeding, revealed that she had a number of small bleeds or bruises from the impact. "That was better than first expected," he says. "The first thing she remembers is spitting out glass."
In a Facebook post, he thanked everyone for their prayers and support and noted how much worse it could have been for Lynne and her close friend and exercise partner, Mazie Movassaghi, who was driving when the women were hit. He says the two were sandwiched' between a massive head-on and rear-end collision.
Mazie's husband, Fenstermaker President Kam Movassaghi, confirms that his wife has been moved to rehab. Kam says he is unsure when she will return home.
Lafayette Police spokesman Cpl. Paul Mouton says while the investigation into the accident is ongoing, traffic investigators did issue a citation to Dwayne Sonnier, 48, of Scott for improper lane usage with a crash.
Joey says the two women walk together most mornings and were headed to Acadiana Mall for their workout when the accident happened. North and southbound traffic was shut down for about an hour.