| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 1879 | 2008-12-26 | Troop B | ***UPDATE*** Heroic Firefighter Identified ***UPDATE*** Christmas Morning Crash on I-10 Claims the Lives of Three People |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP B- NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Date: December 24, 2008 ***UPDATE*** Heroic Firefighter Identified Shortly after midnight on Christmas morning, an off duty firefighter, Stephen J. Price of the Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department in Spring, Texas stopped while traveling on I-10 to assist the victims involved in the early morning crash. Upon stopping Price and Louisiana State Trooper David Easley removed three people from a burning vehicle. Price and Easley returned to the vehicle in an attempt to remove three additional occupants from the rear of the SUV, but were eventually forced away by the extreme heat and flames, when Trooper Easley’s fire extinguisher was depleted. **UPDATE** Christmas Morning Crash on I-10 Claims the Lives of Three People Trooper David Easley who was on duty in the area responded to the scene and upon his arrival observed the GMC engulfed in flames. Trooper Easley then used his fire extinguisher in an attempt to put out the fire at which time he was assisted by an off duty fire fighter. Trooper Easley with the assistance of the fire fighter pulled three people from the burning vehicle. Trooper Easley then returned to the vehicle in an attempt to removed three additional occupants from the rear of the GMC. Utilizing his fire extinguisher until it was empty, Trooper Easley and the firefighter entered the burning vehicle and attempted to remove the three occupants, but their efforts were to no avail. In the process, Trooper Easley suffered minor to his hands and smoke inhalation. Trooper Easley was transported to a local hospital for his injuries. Because of the crash Danielle Adams (B/F, 26 yrs) of New Orleans, Kyren Thompson (B/M, 3 yrs) of New Orleans, Diavion Hite (B/F, 6 yrs) of New Orleans suffered fatal injuries in the crash. (NOTE: All three were passengers in the rear of the GMC). In Addition, a black female 3 year old suffered critical injuries and was transported to the Critical Burn Unit in Baton Rouge. The front passenger of the GMC, Candace Walker (B/F, 23 yrs) of New Orleans was transported to the Critical Burn Center in Shreveport, also in critical condition. The driver Lewis Knoten (B/M, 26 yrs) suffered moderate injuries and was transported to River Parishes Hospital. The driver of the Lincoln, Alvin Welch (B/M, 27 yrs) of New Orleans suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Ochner Medical Center of Kenner. The driver of the Kenworth, Westbrook suffered minor injuries in the crash. Driver impairment is not suspected. The crash is still under investigation and charges are pending the results of the investigation. It should be noted that east and westbound lanes of I-10 was completely shut down from the time of the crash until approximately 8:00 AM. For more information contact: S/T Joseph Piglia Public Affairs Unit Louisiana State Police – Troop B Office: (504) 471-2780 joseph.piglia@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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