| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1484 | 2015-01-23 | Troop B | Speed and Lack of Seat Belt Use Factors in Plaquemines Parish Fatal Crash |
TROOP B - NEWS RELEASE January 23, 2015 Speed and Lack of Seat Belt Use Factors in Plaquemines Parish Fatal Crash Update: The passenger was identified as 21 year-old Samuel Celis Jr. of San Juan, Texas. Plaquemines Parish: This morning, shortly after 8:00 am, Louisiana State Police Troop B was notified of a fatal crash on the Belle Chasse Bridge (LA 23) near LA 3017. One person was killed and one seriously injured as a result of the crash. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Ford F-150, driven by 32 year-old Ruben Vela Rodriguez of Pharr, Texas was traveling north on LA 23 in the right lane at a high rate of speed. Rodriguez lost control of the vehicle when it crossed the metal drawbridge grating. The Ford began to spin counter-clockwise and crossed the left lane. The right front corner then struck the left bridge rail and it continued to spin. At some point during the crash, the Ford caught on fire. As the vehicle was spinning, Rodriguez was partially ejected from the vehicle. A 2007 Ford Fusion, driven by 45 year-old Michelle Sylve of Port Sulphur, LA, was traveling in the left lane behind the F-150. As the crash was occurring, Sylve was unable to stop her vehicle before impacting the F-150. Sylve sustained minor injuries and was wearing a seat belt. Rodriguez was not wearing a seat belt and was transported to the LSU Interim Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center with serious injuries. There was an unbelted passenger in Rodriguez’s vehicle that was pronounced dead on the scene. The identity is being withheld pending notification to family members. Impairment on the part of Rodriguez is unknown at this time. Blood was taken and will be analyzed by the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Sylve was not impaired at the time of the crash. The crash remains under investigation and criminal charges are pending. Troopers would like to remind motorists that seat belt usage is required by Louisiana law for all occupants of a vehicle. The primary purpose of a seat belt is to keep the occupant in the seating position preventing ejection. A seat belt also protects the internal organs, brain and spinal cord by spreading the crash forces across the strongest bones in the body and allowing the body to decelerate at a slower rate. Please ensure that all occupants are properly buckled, this will limit injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash. Buckle Up Louisiana, It’s the Law!! Contact Information: TFC Melissa Matey Louisiana State Police – Troop B Public Affairs Unit Office: (504) 471-2780 Melissa.matey@la.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice | |||
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