Louisiana State Police News V1

LSP Article Full View

Source: http://lsp.org/news_detail.html?id=3159

id cleanReleaseDate troopName title
3159 2020-11-20 Troop D Excessive Speed and Lack of Seat Belt Usage Factors in Fatal Beauregard Parish Crash

TROOP D NEWS RELEASE
November 20, 2020


Excessive Speed and Lack of Seat Belt Usage Factors in Fatal Beauregard Parish Crash

DeRidder – On November 19, 2020, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of US Hwy 171 and LA Hwy 394 in Beauregard Parish. The crash ultimately claimed the life of 27-year-old Larry Don Wiggins of Groves, TX.


The preliminary investigation revealed a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Wiggins, was traveling west on LA 394 at a high rate of speed. As Wiggins approached the intersection, he failed to stop at the stop sign that is located at LA 394 and US 171. The Chevrolet entered the intersection, crossed both north and southbound lanes of travel, struck a ditch, and overturned.


Wiggins, who was not properly restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Excessive speed is suspected to be a factor in the crash. A toxicology sample was taken from the driver and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana state law requires vehicle occupants to be properly restrained in all seating positions, day or night. Statistics show the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained but the decision not to wear a seat belt can have deadly consequences.

Speeding reduces the driver’s ability to steer safely around vehicles or objects on the roadway, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a situation. Speeding and other aggressive driving behaviors are among the leading causes of highway crashes and fatalities.

Troop D has investigated 26 fatal crashes resulting in 28 deaths in 2020.

Contact Information:
TFC Derek Senegal
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (337) 491-2519
derek.senegal@la.gov

No attachments for this article.