| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 2285 | 2014-08-20 | Troop C | Impaired Driving Leads to Passengers Death in Lafourche Parish Crash |
TROOP C - NEWS RELEASE August 20, 2014 Impaired Driving Leads to Passengers Death in Lafourche Parish Crash Thibodaux, LA- Shortly before 05:30 pm yesterday afternoon, a 29 year old Kenner man was killed when the vehicle he was riding in traveled off the road and struck a tree in Lafourche Parish. The investigation revealed that a 2001 Pontiac Aztec was traveling south on LA 308 just south of Thibodaux, LA. The Pontiac was being driven by Manuel Dejesus Velasquez Mejia, (age 53) of Kenner, LA. The Pontiac failed to negotiate a left curve on LA 308 and traveled off the right side of the road. The driver overcorrected to the left and traveled off the left side of LA 308, and then overcorrected back to the right. The Pontiac began to rotate as it traveled off the ride side of LA 308 and struck a tree on the passenger side of the vehicle. The front seat passenger, Cesar Castillo-Ortiz (age 29) of Kenner, LA, was pronounced dead on the scene by the Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office. The driver was transported to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. After his release form the hospital he was transported to the Lafourche Parish Jail where he was booked for Vehicular Homicide, Improper Lane Usage, and No Driver’s License. Both the driver and passenger were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash. Blood was taken from the driver and the test results will be pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. This crash remains under investigation. Troopers remind motorists of the dangers of impaired driving. Never get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you have had any alcohol to drink. While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Louisiana law requires every vehicle occupant, front seat and back seat, to be properly restrained day or night. Taking the time to buckle up every trip and every time is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. | |||
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