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Source: http://lsp.org/news_detail.html?id=3089

id cleanReleaseDate troopName title
3089 2015-03-09 Troop D Grand Lake Man Drowns after Crashing Vehicle

TROOP D NEWS RELEASE

March 9, 2015
Grand Lake Man Drowns after Crashing Vehicle

CALCASIEU PARISHThe body of a man from the community of Grand Lake was recovered from Black Bayou this morning after the vehicle he was driving ran off the road last week.

On Friday, March 6, 2015, at 3:50 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a report of a submerged vehicle in Black Bayou near Louisiana Highway 385 south of Lake Charles. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling south on LA 385 at a high rate of speed when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the road and through a guard rail leading to the Black Bayou Bridge sometime last week. The vehicle traveled down an embankment and into Black Bayou. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Division responded to the scene and was unable to locate anyone in the vehicle.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Division conducted subsequent searches of the area and on Monday, March 9, at 10:25 a.m., located a body about 300 yards from where the vehicle was discovered. The body was later identified as 30-year-old Michael Chase Fontenot of Grand Lake. Fontenot was pronounced dead at the scene by the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office.

A toxicology sample was obtained from Fontenot and will be submitted for analysis in order to determine impairment. The crash remains under investigation.

Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway. Speeding also extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle and can lead to a more serious collision in cases where the vehicle strikes another object. Troopers encourage motorists to observe the speed limit and to always drive in a safe and prudent manner.

Troop D has investigated 5 fatal crashes resulting in 5 deaths this year.

Contact Information:
Sgt. James Anderson
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (337) 491-2932
james.l.anderson@la.gov
www.LSP.org
www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice

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