| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 218 | 2014-05-20 | Troop A | Two Killed when Car Runs Off Roadway and Becomes Submerged in St. James Parish Crash |
TROOP A NEWS RELEASE May 20, 2014 Two Killed when Car Runs Off Roadway and Becomes Submerged in St. James Parish Crash Gramercy – Shortly after 1:30 am on May 20, 2014, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred on US Hwy 61 south of I-10 in St. James Parish. The crash took the lives of 48 year old Matthew P. Daigle of Lutcher, LA and 54 year old Terri R. Deslatte of Hester, LA. An independent witness call 911 shortly after 1:30 am when they observed a vehicle run off the roadway. State Police determined that the crash occurred as Daigle was driving a 2009 Porsche 911 southbound on US Hwy 61. The investigation revealed that for unknown reasons Daigle’s Porsche ran off the roadway to the left, crossed the center median and then crossed over the northbound lanes of travel. After crossing the northbound lanes of travel the Porsche exited the roadway and entered into a bayou south of Blind River. First responders located the car submerged in the bayou several hours later. Despite the fact that both Daigle and Deslatte (front seat female passenger) were wearing seatbelts they sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Driver impairment is unknown at this time, and a toxicology sample was taken from Daigle and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Excessive speed is considered to be a factor in this crash. Although not all crashes are survivable, Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists of the importance of seatbelt use. Louisiana law requires that every person in a motor vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Statistics show that the chances of surviving a violent crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Taking the time to buckle up before every trip is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Contact Information: | |||
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