| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1315 | 2016-09-02 | Troop B | Update: Fire Chief among Two Killed and Over 30 Injured in Bus Crash on I-10 |
TROOP B - NEWS RELEASE September 2, 2016 Update: Fire Chief among Two Killed and Over 30 Injured in Bus Crash on I-10 Additional criminal charges have been filed against Rodriguez in St. John the Baptist Parish. Those charges include Negligent Homicide and Negligent Injuring. Trooper have identified a total of 41 people injured, 31 of those injuries were passengers on the bus. The total criminal charges are 3 counts of Negligent Homicide, 41 counts of Negligent Injuring, Reckless Operation and No Driver’s License. September 1, 2016 - The front seat passenger in the Toyota Camry, previously identified as Vontravous Kelly, succumbed to his injuries shortly after 11:00 am this morning at University Medical Center in New Orleans, LA. The correct spelling of his name is Vontarous Kelly (age 33), of Moss Point, MS. The crash remains under investigation and additional criminal charges are forthcoming against Rodriguez.August 30, 2016 - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will assume the lead in the investigation surrounding the bus company as authorities continue to gather details pertaining to the events leading up to the fatal crash. Louisiana State Police will remain the lead investigative agency on the crash itself. This incident remains under investigation, and Troopers will work diligently to discover all facts related to the crash. August 28, 2016 - St. John the Baptist Parish – This morning at approximately 6:40 am, Louisiana State Police Troop B investigated a single car, minor injury crash on I-10 west at mile post 203. During the investigation of the single vehicle crash, another crash occurred at 7:17 am involving a private rental bus and three additional vehicles. The second crash claimed the lives of St. John the Baptist Parish Fire Chief Spencer Chauvin (age 36) of Gramercy, LA and 21 year old Jermaine Starr of Moss Point, MS. Preliminary investigation revealed that the initial crash involved a 2005 Nissan Titan, driven by 30 year old Javontris Lawson of Marrero, LA. Lawson was traveling too fast for road conditions and lost control of the Titan, striking the left guardrail. The Titan then crossed the left and right lanes and struck the right guardrail. The vehicle came to rest across the right lane and right shoulder. Lawson and his passenger, 37 year old Bryan Hill of Kenner, LA, suffered minor injuries. Louisiana State Police and the St. John the Baptist Fire Department responded to and were protecting the crash scene. The right lane was blocked by a fire truck, and a Trooper’s unit was just ahead of the fire truck with emergency lights activated. Three firefighters were standing near the right guardrail between the Trooper’s unit and the Titan, assisting with the minor injuries and investigation. A 2002 Eldorado National private party bus was traveling at a high rate of speed west on I-10 in the left lane approaching the crash scene at mile post 203. For reasons under investigation, the bus struck the left side of the fire truck that was angled in the right lane. The bus then struck the rear of a 2012 Toyota Camry, and the Camry was pushed into the rear of a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and flatbed trailer. After striking the rear of the Camry, the bus veered into the right lane between the Trooper unit and the Titan. It struck the three firefighters that were standing near the guardrail. The firefighters were thrown over the edge of the elevated interstate into the water below, approximately 30-40 feet. The Fire Chief, Spencer Chauvin, was transported to River Parishes Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Firefighter William Mack Beal (age 35) of Gonzales, LA was transported to a local facility with moderate injuries, and Firefighter Nicholas Saale (age 32) of Ponchatoula, LA was airlifted to University Medical Center Level 1 Trauma Center with critical injuries. The Camry was driven by 35 year old Marcus Tate of Moss Point, MS. Tate suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. The front seat passenger in the Camry, Vontravous Kelly and rear seat passenger David Jones, both of Moss Point, MS, were taken to University Medical Center. Kelly is in critical condition and Jones is in serious condition. The other rear seat passenger, Jermaine Starr, was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado was identified as 48 year old Emiliano Acosta of Kenner, LA. The front seat passenger was 50 year old Solma Almendarez of Kenner. Three rear seat passengers include 30 year old Jenyfer Espinal of Kenner, and two 10 year old juveniles. All occupants of the Silverado were transported to local hospitals with minor to moderate injuries. 24 individuals have been identified as passengers on the private bus. All passengers were transported to local hospitals with minor to moderate injuries. The driver of the bus has been identified as 37 year old Denis Yasmir Amaya Rodriguez. Rodriguez is an illegal alien from Honduras and does not have a driver’s license. The owner of the bus is Kristina’s Transportation LLC/AM Party Bus out of Jefferson, LA. Rodriguez will be booked into the St. John the Baptist Correctional Center with two counts of Negligent Homicide, Reckless Operation, and No Driver’s License. Additional criminal charges are forthcoming. This crash remains under investigation. Homeland Security Investigations is assisting Louisiana State Police. “This is a very sad day for all first responders in Louisiana,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, Louisiana State Police Superintendent. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the St. John the Baptist Fire Department. Louisiana has the “Move Over” law in place to protect our first responders on our roadways. Please adhere to this law and slow down when approaching emergency vehicles and disabled vehicles on the road.” Contact Information: S/T Melissa Matey Louisiana State Police – Troop B Public Affairs Section Office: (504) 471-2780 Melissa.Matey@LA.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice | |||
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