| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1158 | 2011-03-30 | Troop A | Unrestrained Driver Killed in Two-Vehicle Vehicle Crash |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent Troop A – News Release
Unrestrained Driver Killed in Two-Vehicle Vehicle Crash Baton Rouge – Louisiana State Police Troop A investigated a fatal crash shortly after 8:00 pm last night on LA Highway 427 (Old Perkins Road) near LA Highway 42 (Highland Road). Troopers’ investigation revealed that Bonnie Desilva (W/F, age 69) of Baton Rouge was driving a 2008 Ford Expedition on Perkins Road when she rear-ended a stopped 2009 Freightliner box truck. The driver of the box truck, Henry Simpson (B/M, age 48) of Lafayette, was wearing a seat belt and sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. He was transported to the Baton Rouge General Hospital by EBR EMS. Desilva was not restrained when the crash occurred and sustained life-threatening injuries. She later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased by Baton Rouge General Hospital staff. The crash remains under investigation. Troopers do not suspect alcohol to have played a factor in the crash. However, troopers have submitted samples of both drivers’ blood to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis. In an overwhelming majority of fatal crashes Troopers have worked in the Troop A area so far this year, the persons killed in the crashes were NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED. The two seconds it takes to buckle up can be a lifesaver! Troopers investigate crashes across the state every day that cause serious injuries and deaths. So many of these injuries and deaths could have possibly been avoided had the occupants been restrained at the time of the crash. During a crash, there are actually three collisions that occur: 1. The vehicle strikes another vehicle or object. 2. The person inside the vehicle strikes something inside or outside the vehicle. 3. The person’s organs strike the inside of the body. A seatbelt plays a vital role in minimizing the damage caused by the second and third collisions during a crash. Not only does the seat belt keep an occupant inside the vehicle, but also it keeps the occupant from striking several objects inside the vehicle. A lap and shoulder belt also stretch and expand during a crash, which tends to slow the occupant down to some extent rather than coming to an immediate stop. This process of slowing the body down before the abrupt stop helps to protect against internal injuries. Bottom line – wearing a seat belt in the vehicle is the safest way to travel every single time. Buckle Up – Seat Belts Save Lives!!! Contact Information: TFC Russell G. Graham II Public Affairs Unit Louisiana State Police – Troop A Office: (225) 931-8735 russell.graham@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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