| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1326 | 2016-12-24 | Troop B | Deadly Start to Christmas Weekend in Louisiana State Police Troop B Area |
TROOP B - NEWS RELEASE December 24, 2016 Deadly Start to Christmas Weekend in Louisiana State Police Troop B Area Last night, Louisiana State Police Troop B investigated a serious injury crash on US 90B that involved 5 children, ranging in age from ten years to two years old. A second, unrelated crash was investigated this morning that resulted in a fatality. The common factors in both crashes were lack of seat belt usage and excessive speed. Impairment was also a factor in the US 90B crash. Between the hours of 8:00 pm – 5:30 am, Troop B arrested eight impaired drivers. Impairment and lack of seat belt use is a deadly combination. Last year, 46% of the fatal crashes in Louisiana involved alcohol. Louisiana State Police would like to remind everyone to buckle up, each and every ride. Louisiana law requires that all occupants, regardless of seating position, be properly restrained. Children should be properly buckled in an age and weight appropriate child safety seat. Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while impaired on drugs and/or alcohol is illegal and strictly enforced. Please take the time to designate a sober driver and have a plan in place before getting behind the wheel. Don’t let bad decisions turn your holiday season into a deadly one! West Jefferson Parish – Last night, at approximately 9:45 pm, a 2002 Saturn SUV was traveling west on the elevated portion of US 90B near Ames Blvd. at a high rate of speed in the center lane. The Saturn was driven by 38 year old Jason Toups of Metairie, LA. For reasons under investigation, Toups lost control of the vehicle and struck the rear of a Honda Pilot, driven by 34 year old Kimberly Smith of Marrero, LA. After striking the Honda, the Saturn struck the left guard rail and rolled several times. A 7 year old passenger in the cargo area of the Saturn was ejected onto the roadway and suffered critical injuries. Four other children riding in the Saturn suffered minor to moderate injuries during the crash. A two year old and four year old were in child seats; however, the seats were not properly installed. An 8 year old, who was not injured, was in the rear seat and secured with a seat belt. The last was a 10 year old that was seated in the cargo area with the 7 year old. All occupants were transported to local hospitals. Toups was not wearing a seat belt and was arrested for the following charges: DWI, Reckless Operation, Child Endangerment (5 counts), First Degree Vehicular Negligent Injuring, Vehicular Negligent Injuring (2 counts), Child Restraint (2 counts), Seat Belt use (2 counts) and Suspended Driver’s License. He was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center. The crash remains under investigation. St. Charles Parish – This morning, at approximately 7:20 am, Troopers investigated a fatal crash on US 90 east at mile post 237.4 in Des Allemands, LA. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2003 Honda Accord, driven by 26 year old Johnathan Silvestri of Westwego, LA, was traveling west on US 90 in the left lane at a high rate of speed. For reasons under investigation, Silvestri lost control of the vehicle and traveled over the median and into the east bound lanes of travel. The Honda was struck by a 2015 Freightliner, driven by 58 year old Larry Brock of Bridge City, LA. Silvestri was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. He was pronounced dead on the scene. It is unknown if impairment is involved, however a toxicology test is pending an autopsy. Brock was not impaired and was properly restrained at the time of the crash. The crash remains under investigation. 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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