| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1219 | 2011-01-26 | Troop A | Impairment and Lack of Seatbelt Use Suspected Factors in Fatal Crash |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent Troop A – News Release
Impairment and Lack of Seatbelt Use Suspected Factors in Fatal Crash Gonzales – Louisiana State Police Troop A investigated a single-vehicle fatal crash shortly after 2:00 am this morning in Ascension Parish. Troopers’ investigation revealed that Brett Fife (W/M, age 40) of Gonzales was driving a 1994 Chevrolet pickup west on LA 934 (Black Bayou Road) when he ran off the road to the right and over-corrected. The vehicle began to cross into the oncoming lane and Fife over-corrected again, sending it into the ditch along the north edge of the roadway. The pickup struck the ditch, became airborne, and then struck a tree. Brett Fife’s passenger, Dagan Fife (W/M, age 29) of Gonzales, was ejected during the crash and sustained fatal injuries. He was not restrained when the crash occurred and the pickup came to rest on top of him after he was ejected. The Ascension Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced Dagan Fife deceased on the scene. Brett Fife was also unrestrained during the crash and sustained non-life threatening injuries. He was treated at St. Elizabeth Hospital and then released. Troopers suspect alcohol to have played a factor in the crash and have submitted a sample of Brett Fife’s blood to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis. Troopers arrested Fife and booked him into the Ascension Parish Prison on charges of vehicular homicide, DWI, careless operation, and no seat belt. The crash remains under investigation. This is the second fatal crash Troop A has investigated this year and the first that has resulted in an arrest. Troopers would like to remind everyone that keeping our roadways safe requires active participation from law enforcement as well as the public. Louisiana State Police will continue to work with local and state agencies to ensure aggressive enforcement and a continued public education campaign regarding the dangers of impaired driving and the importance of seat belt use. The public plays a pivotal role in helping to ensure safety by reporting aggressive or impaired drivers, NEVER getting into the vehicle with an impaired driver, NEVER getting behind the wheel after having had anything to drink, and ALWAYS buckling up. The easiest way to report an impaired or aggressive driver is by calling *LSP (*577) from a cell phone. To request a safe driving presentation from Louisiana State Police, contact your local Troop Public Information Officer. They are trained and experienced in giving presentations on the dangers of impaired driving, dangers of distracted driving, importance of seat belt use, rail-grade crossing safety, personal safety, and many more topics. Each area also has a “rollover simulator”, which demonstrates the importance of seat belt use. The simulator can be brought to places such as schools, outdoor events, and safety fairs. 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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