| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3012 | 2017-12-15 | Troop D | Passenger Killed after SUV Collides with Log Trucks in Beauregard Parish |
TROOP D NEWS RELEASE December 15, 2017 Passenger Killed after SUV Collides with Log Trucks in Beauregard Parish RAGLEY — A Leesville resident is dead after a three-vehicle crash on US Highway 171 in the community of Ragley last night. On December 14, 2017, shortly before 7:00 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a three-vehicle crash on US 171 about 2 miles north of US 190 in Beauregard Parish. The initial investigation revealed a 2010 Mercury Mariner SUV driven by 40-year-old George Gainer, Jr. of Leesville was traveling south on US 171 in the left lane approaching two log trucks from behind that were preparing to make a left turn. The driver of the rear log truck recognized the SUV was not slowing down and moved to the right shoulder. The SUV Gainer was driving struck the rear of the log truck in the left lane. The SUV then veered to the right and struck the log truck that had moved to the shoulder. During the crash, a log penetrated the passenger compartment of the SUV and struck the front seat passenger, 24-year-old Ashley Lynn Sutton of Leesville. Sutton died as a result of her injuries. No one else, including two other passengers in the SUV, was seriously injured. All vehicle occupants were wearing a seat belt. Routine toxicology samples were obtained from the drivers and will be submitted for analysis. Gainer was charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle. The crash remains under investigation. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 3,477 people were killed and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in the United States in 2015. Inattentive and distracted driving continues to be a factor in many of the crashes we investigate. Information on distracted driving may be found online at www.distratction.gov. Troop D has investigated 26 fatal crashes resulting in 35 deaths so far this year. Contact Information: | |||
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