| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1145 | 2012-08-12 | Troop A | Unrestrained Passenger Ejected and Killed in I-10 Crash, Driver Arrested |
TROOP A - NEWS RELEASE August 12, 2012 Unrestrained Passenger Ejected and Killed in I-10 Crash Baton Rouge – Louisiana State Police Troop A investigated a single-vehicle crash last night that claimed the life of an unrestrained passenger. The crash occurred on Interstate 10 westbound, west of Siegen Lane shortly before 3:00 am. Troopers’ preliminary investigation revealed that Jonathan Tillman (B/M, age 38) of Plaquemine was driving a 2011 Dodge pickup west on I-10 when he ran off the road to the right. The pickup then struck an embankment and overturned several times. Tillman was properly restrained when the crash occurred and sustained minor injuries. Tillman’s front seat passenger, Anquenett Taplin (B/F, age 42) of Baton Rouge, was also restrained and sustained minor injuries. The rear seat passenger, Brandon Ezell (B/M, age 24) of Baton Rouge, was NOT restrained when the crash occurred. Ezell was ejected and killed in the crash. He was pronounced deceased by the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office. There was a third passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Everett Moncrieffe (B/M, age 36) of Baton Rouge was also riding in the rear seat when the crash occurred. Moncrieffe fled the scene after the crash, and his whereabouts are still unknown at this time. Troopers have identified Moncrieffe as the owner of the vehicle involved in the crash with an address of 4212 Hollywood Street, Baton Rouge. Upon Tillman’s release from the hospital, he submitted a breath sample to Troopers that showed he had alcohol in his system. Tillman’s blood alcohol content was below the state’s legal limit of 0.08g% at the time the test was administered. Troopers then booked Tillman into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of negligent homicide, negligent injuring, and careless operation. Troopers stress the importance of seat belt use in ALL seating positions at ALL times. This crash is one of many examples of what can happen when an occupant is unrestrained. The safest place to be during a rollover crash is properly restrained INSIDE the vehicle. Troopers see the devastating effects of not wearing a seat belt across the state year after year. The single most effective thing occupants can do to decrease chances of serious injury and death in a rollover crash is to buckle up. Troopers also remind motorists of the dangers of impaired driving. The only designated driver is the one who has had no alcohol. Contact Information: TFC Russell G. Graham II | |||
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