| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1197 | 2010-11-13 | Troop A | Speed and Impairment Suspected Factors in Fatal Crash |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP A - NEWS RELEASE
Speed and Impairment Suspected Factors in Fatal Crash Baton Rouge – Louisiana State Police Troop A investigated a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Zachary man on Blackwater Road last night shortly after 8:00 pm. Troopers’ investigation revealed that Todd Thomas (W/M, age 36) of Zachary was driving a 2010 Chevrolet pickup at a high rate of speed on Blackwater Road near Blackwater Baptist Church when he failed to negotiate a left-hand curve. The pickup ran off the road to the right, struck two culverts, overturned, and struck a tree. Thomas was partially ejected from the pickup and sustained serious injuries in the crash. Thomas’ passenger was also partially ejected from the pickup and was fatally injured in the crash. The passenger, a 35 year old male from Zachary, was pronounced deceased on the scene by the East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office. The passenger’s name is being withheld until Troopers can notify the family of his death. Thomas was transported to Earl K. Long Hospital with serious injuries. Troopers have charged him with vehicular homicide, DWI, careless operation, and no seat belt. Upon his release from the hospital, Thomas will be booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on those charges. Troopers have submitted a sample of Thomas’ blood to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis. This is the time of year when Troopers usually see a significant increase in serious injury crashes and fatal crashes. With the holiday season upon us, Louisiana State Police would like to remind motorists to be extra cautious when driving on our roadways. Simply buckling your seat belt can mean the difference between life and death. Aggressive and impaired driving are the leading causes of fatal crashes throughout the state. Impaired drivers are a danger to themselves and a danger to everyone else on the roadway. Louisiana State Police will be on the roadways throughout this holiday season aggressively enforcing the state’s laws in an effort to keep everyone safe. “We will continue to work very hard through education and enforcement to keep impaired drivers off our roadways,” said Captain Frank Ducote, Troop A Commander. “We see tragic crashes all too often that could have been avoided had better judgment been used”, Captain Ducote added. Troopers will continue to focus on high-risk driving behaviors and on problem areas where more crashes tend to occur. Impaired drivers will be arrested and brought to jail; there are no second chances. YOU DRINK, YOU DRIVE, YOU LOSE! BUCKLE UP…SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES! Contact Information: TFC Russell G. Graham II Public Affairs Unit Louisiana State Police – Troop A Office: (225) 754-8524 russell.graham@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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