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Source: http://lsp.org/news_detail.html?id=1241

id cleanReleaseDate troopName title
1241 2012-03-02 Troop A **Update** Troopers Identifiy Drivers in Last Night's Fatal Crash

TROOP A - NEWS RELEASE

March 2, 2012
Motorcyclist Killed in Multiple Vehicle Interstate Crash

Update: Troopers have identified all vehicles and drivers involved in last night’s crash.
    - 2003 Freightliner, driven by James Bennet (W/M, age 61) of Jacksonville, LA
    - 2008 Dodge Caliber, driven by Emily Emanuel (W/F, age 18) of Longville, LA
    - 2011 Dodge Avenger, driven by Susan Auburn (W/F, age 61) of Youngsville, LA
    - 2011 Ford Pickup, driven by John Listi (W/M, age 36) of Abbeville, LA
    - 2007 Kenworth, driven by Edward Moore (W/M, age 44) of New Port Richey, FL
    - 2009 Suzuki Motorcycle, driven by Phillip Rizzo (W/M, age 64) of Lincoln County, OR

Bennet was charged with Reckless Operation and Negligent Homicide and booked into the Iberville Parish Jail last night. Rizzo was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Iberville Parish Coroner’s Office. None of the other drivers were injured.

Whiskey Bay – Louisiana State Police Troop A is currently investigating a multiple-vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 10 westbound near the Whiskey Bay Bridge in Iberville Parish. The crash involved several vehicles, including a motorcycle and two 18-wheelers, and occurred shortly after 5:00 pm. The crash occurred due to traffic congestion caused by a dog that had gotten loose on the Interstate west of the Whiskey Bay Bridge.

Troop I Troopers were called to assist animal control with a stray dog in the westbound lanes, west of the Whiskey Bay Bridge. Upon arrival, Troopers made contact with Animal Control Specialists and attempted to get the animal removed from the roadway. Troopers blocked traffic in an effort to allow the animal control officers to safely recover the dog.

Troopers’ crash investigation revealed that several miles east of the incident, an 18-wheeler traveling west failed to stop for traffic, swerved into the center of the roadway (straddling both westbound lanes) and struck the rear of a motorcycle and three other vehicles. The Iberville Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced the driver of the motorcycle deceased on the scene. No one else was injured in the crash. Troopers have charged the driver of the 18-wheeler who caused the crash with reckless operation and negligent homicide. He will be booked into the Iberville Parish Prison.

Westbound lanes were blocked due to the crash for nearly three hours. Troopers, with the assistance of Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, rerouted westbound traffic onto US 190 via LA 415 until they were able to clear the scene and reopen the roadway. All lanes were cleared and the roadway was opened at 8:30 pm.

Troopers do not suspect impairment to have been a factor in this crash. All the drivers involved voluntarily submitted breath samples to Troopers that showed they had no detectable alcohol in their systems. Toxicology results on the deceased driver are pending an autopsy. Names of all involved in the crash will be released in an update.


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

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