| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3092 | 2015-02-12 | Troop D | Lafayette Man Struck and Killed on I-10 in Jefferson Davis Parish |
TROOP D NEWS RELEASE February 12, 2015 Lafayette Man Struck and Killed on I-10 in Jefferson Davis Parish On February 11, 2015, shortly after 10:00 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a crash on Interstate Highway 10 Westbound west of Welsh (mile post 52) that claimed the life of a pedestrian. The preliminary investigation revealed that one vehicle collided into another one on I-10 west of Welsh in Jefferson Davis Parish. The vehicles were then stopped in the inside (left) lane of travel. Damage was minor but the rear vehicle became connected to the receiver hitch of the front vehicle, a 2002 Dodge pickup driven by 43-year-old George Burns of Iota. The driver of the rear vehicle, a 2012 Toyota Tundra pickup driven by 68-year-old Gus Gallet of Lafayette, activated his vehicle’s hazard flashers. Both drivers exited their vehicles and stood in the median. A 2007 Toyota Prius driven by 61-year old Albert Charles Nelson of Lake Charles failed to recognize that vehicles were stopped in the inside lane of travel until the last moment and steered left in an attempt to avoid the stopped vehicles. The Prius sideswiped the left side of the Toyota Tundra and struck Gallet. Gallet was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jefferson Davis Parish Coroner’s Office. Nelson (driver of the Prius) was transported from the scene with minor injuries. Burns (the other pedestrian) was struck by debris and received minor injuries. He refused aid at the scene. Routine toxicology samples were obtained from the parties involved and will be submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending. Louisiana state law requires drivers involved in a crash to move vehicles from travel lanes unless someone is seriously injured or the vehicles are immovable. Additionally, drivers of vehicles that are disabled in the lanes of travel are required to warn other motorists. Inattentive and distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state. Drivers are required by law to operate their vehicles in a careful and prudent manner. Moreover, state law requires drivers traveling upon a multi-lane highway to move over or slow down when they encounter a vehicle making use of any visual signals as authorized by law. Troop D has investigated 4 fatal crashes resulting in 4 fatalities so far 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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