| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1299 | 2011-12-31 | Troop A | Troopers Investigate Multiple-Vehicle Crash on I-10 Overnight |
TROOP A - NEWS RELEASE December 31, 2011 Troopers Investigate Multiple-Vehicle Crash on I-10 Overnight Grosse Tete – Louisiana State Police Troop A investigated a crash on Interstate 10 near Grosse Tete last night that resulted in several injuries and shut the roadway down for nearly three hours. Troopers, Deputies, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel worked together to take care of injured passengers and clear the roadway of the ten vehicles and debris involved in the crash. The crash occurred just before 1:30 am, and the roadway was cleared shortly after 4:00 am. Troopers’ preliminary investigation revealed that a 2011 Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling east on I-10 near Grosse Tete when the driver encountered a very thick area of fog. The driver slowed his vehicle to a stop in the roadway and was rear-ended by a BMW, which led to a chain reaction crash involving eight additional vehicles. Ten people, including several children, were transported to local hospitals due to injuries sustained in the crash. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening. Troopers say that seat belt use played a huge role in the safety of the individuals involved in the crash. The driver of the Freightliner, Dennis Sawyer (W/M, age 60) of Webster, TX, was cited with careless operation. He was able to drive the vehicle away from the scene. The other nine vehicles had to be towed away. Troopers noted that low visibility due to thick fog played a factor in the crash. There have been several crashes across south Louisiana over the past few days where poor visibility played a factor. Fog is expected again tonight, and Troopers remind motorists to reduce speed, drive with lights on LOW beams, and avoid traveling in thick fog if at all possible. Troopers will continue to patrol and aggressively enforce the state’s traffic laws through the rest of the holiday season and beyond by focusing on impaired and aggressive driving as well as seat belt use. Motorists are reminded to drive sober and buckle up every time they get into the vehicle. Contact Information: TFC Russell G. Graham II | |||
| No attachments for this article. | |||