| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1350 | 2016-05-31 | Troop B | Trooper Injured by Impaired Driver While Responding to Fatal Crash on I-10 |
TROOP B - NEWS RELEASE June 5, 2016 Trooper Injured by Impaired Driver While Responding to Fatal Crash on I-10 St. Charles Parish – Early this morning, at approximately 1:00 am, Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to a fatality crash on I-10 west at mile post 219.1 that involved two vehicles and a pedestrian. One man from Houma, LA lost his life in the crash. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2010 Toyota Scion, driven by Louis R. Hernandez of Meridian, MS, was traveling west on I-10 and stopped on the right shoulder of the Bonnet Carre Spillway bridge to urinate. Hernandez had a front seat passenger in the Toyota, David E. Vasquez-Dueno (age 21) of Houma, LA. While Hernandez was walking on or near the right lane/right shoulder area of the road, a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck was approaching mile post 219.1 in the right lane. The Chevrolet was driven by Joel Ybarra (age 42) of Little Rock, AR. Ybarra attempted to avoid hitting Hernandez and veered to the right, impacting the rear of the Toyota. Vasquez-Dueno was not seat belted in the front seat and suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash, he was pronounced dead on the scene. Hernandez did not have injuries. Ybarra suffered critical injuries and was taken to University Medical Center Level 1 Trauma Center. It is unknown if Ybarra was seat belted at the time of the crash and impairment is suspected. Ybarra was arrested for Vehicular Homicide and Careless Operation. Charges are pending for Hernandez. The crash remains under investigation. A Troop B Trooper was responding to the fatality crash scene to assist with the investigation at approximately 1:45 am. The Trooper was in his fully marked LSP Ford Crown Victoria with all emergency lights activated. The Trooper was in the left lane and was slowing down in order to pull ahead of the other on-scene emergency vehicles and was struck from behind by a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck. The Chevrolet was driven by James F. Osborne IV (age 34) of Baton Rouge, LA. The Trooper was seat belted and received minor injuries. He was transported to St. Charles Hospital. Osborne was impaired and was found to be over blood alcohol limit of 0.08g%. He was arrested for DWI, Reckless Operation and Vehicular Negligent Injuring. This crash also remains under investigation. Time and time again, Troopers witness preventable motor vehicle crashes. Impairment and lack of seat belt usage are primary causes of crashes across the state of Louisiana. Nearly half of the fatal crashes in Louisiana are caused by impaired drivers. Louisiana State Police urge motorists to have a plan in place that includes a designated driver when consuming alcohol. Alcohol can impair visual ability, alter sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills, and decrease reaction times. Alcohol can begin to impair a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle after just one drink. Please choose to not drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver, and always buckle up. 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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