Aggrostats

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as 55 year old Prairieville resident Gerard J. Cahill was driving a 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck eastbound on Duplessis Rd. At the same time, 32 year old Brian Guillot of New Orleans was driving a 2003 Mazda pickup truck southbound on US Hwy 61. Cahill had four passengers in the bed of his truck, and 18 year old passenger Eric Martin was sitting on the side of the truck bed. Cahill made a right turn onto US Hwy 61 to go towards Gonzales, and Martin fell out of the truck onto US Hwy 61 into the southbound lanes. Guillot was unable to avoid striking Martin as he lay in the southbound lanes of travel.

Due to the fact that he was ejected from the pickup, Martin suffered fatal injuries from the crash. Both Cahill and Guillot were properly restrained and were uninjured. Neither Cahill nor Guillot were cited, and impairment on the part of either driver is not suspected to have been a factor in the crash.

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists of the importance of seatbelt use. Louisiana law requires that every person in a motor vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Riders over the age of 12 may legally ride in the bed of a pickup truck; however, no one may ride in the back of a pickup truck on the Interstate. Statistics show that the chances of surviving a violent crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Taking the time to buckle up before every trip is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.

Contact Information:
TFC Jared L. Sandifer
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section – Troop A
Office: (225) 754-8524
jared.sandifer@la.gov
www.LSP.org
www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice