Aggrostats

Baton Rouge – Louisiana State Police Troop A investigated a single-vehicle fatal crash yesterday evening in Livingston Parish that claimed the life of the unrestrained driver. The crash occurred shortly after 6:30 pm on LA 1019 east of LA 1022 and claimed the life of a Walker man.

Troopers’ preliminary investigation revealed Louis C. Smith III (W/M, age 36) of Walker was driving a 2002 Ford Mustang east on LA 1019 when he entered a right-hand curve. The vehicle continued to the right, ran off the roadway, and entered the ditch. The vehicle then struck a culvert, overturned, struck a tree, and came to rest on its roof. Smith, who was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, sustained fatal injuries.

Troopers suspect alcohol to have played a factor in this crash and have submitted a sample of Smith’s blood to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

Impaired driving and lack of seat belt use continue to be common components of fatal crashes throughout the state. Studies have continually shown that decreased instances of impaired driving correlates directly to decreased instances of fatal and serious injury crashes. In addition, studies have shown that increased seat belt use correlates directly to decreased instances of fatal and serious injury crashes. There is NO good excuse to drive impaired, and there is NEVER a good reason to ride in a vehicle without wearing a seat belt.

Contact Information:

TFC Russell G. Graham II
Public Information Officer
Louisiana State Police – Troop A
Office: (225) 754-8524
russell.graham@dps.la.gov
www.LSP.org