Aggrostats

Satsuma – Louisiana State Police Troop A responded to a single-vehicle crash early this morning on Interstate 12 near Satsuma involving an 18-wheeler. The crash occurred shortly after 2:00 a.m. in the eastbound lanes, and Troopers worked with emergency crews and Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office to investigate the crash and clear the roadway.

Troopers’ preliminary investigation revealed the a 2005 Peterbuilt Tractor Trailer was traveling eastbound on Interstate 12, east of Satsuma, when the driver suffered a fatal medical condition. The vehicle drifted to the left and struck a bridge rail before coming to rest and blocking the inside lane of travel. There was no braking or steering input before the crash occurred and Troopers suspect the driver was unconscious before the vehicle struck the bridge rail. The Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced the driver deceased on the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt and did not sustain injuries in the crash. The driver’s name is being withheld pending notification of his death to his family. Troopers do not suspect impairment to have played a factor in this crash; however, they have submitted a sample of the driver’s blood to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis.

There were no other vehicles involved in this crash and no additional occupants in the Peterbuilt. However, this is a good example of how quickly things can become very dangerous on the interstate. Troopers would like to remind the motoring public to always remain cautious and vigilant when driving. Drivers can lose control in an instant, and focus on the road and quick reactions are vital for drivers to stay out of harm’s way. Additional measures such as median cable barriers are continuously being put into place to enhance safety on our roadways, but nothing can replace an alert and prepared driver. Even a good driver can become the victim of someone else’s mistake on the road, so it is also very important for everyone to be properly restrained at all times and in all seating positions in the vehicle.

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