TROOP A NEWS RELEASE
September 21, 2014
Head-On Crash Takes the Life of a Denham Springs Man
Denham Springs – A three vehicle crash on LA Hwy 16 south of LA Hwy 63 has claimed the life of 21 year old Luke E. Matthews, III and left two others injured in local hospitals. Just after 4:00 pm on September 20, 2014, Matthews was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Impala north on LA Hwy 16. For unknown reasons, Matthews crossed the centerline and collided with a southbound 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 driven by 38 year old Aristide Dixon, Jr. of Independence, LA. After the two vehicles collided and began to rotate, the Impala struck a 2008 Kia Sorrento driven southbound by Carmen Arnold of Denham Springs, LA. As a result of the crash Matthews suffered severe injuries and his passenger, 20 year old Taylor Thomas of Denham Springs, suffered moderate injuries. Dixon also received moderate injuries as a result of the crash. All three were transported to a local hospitals. Matthews later died at the hospital as a result of those injuries. The drivers and occupants in all three vehicles were properly restrained. It is unknown at this time if impairment was a factor in this crash. Routine toxicology samples were obtained from Matthews and Dixon and will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Impairment on the part of Arnold is not suspected. This crash remains under investigation. Distractions in a motor vehicles continue to be a leading cause of crashes for persons between the ages of 16 to 24 years old. Troopers encourage drivers to pay attention to all their surroundings on the roadway and put away and silence all devices. Passengers need to understand that the driver of a motor vehicle has to have all of his/her attention focused on the roadway. Contact Information:
TFC Jared L. Sandifer
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section – Troop A
Office: (225) 754-8524
jared.sandifer@la.gov
www.LSP.org
www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice
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