| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3338 | 2019-04-24 | Troop D | Drunk Driving Crash Earlier this Month Leads to Death of Vehicle Passenger |
TROOP D NEWS RELEASE April 24, 2019 Drunk Driving Crash Earlier this Month Leads to Death of Vehicle Passenger Calcasieu Parish – On April 13, 2019, at 11:59 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a two-vehicle serious injury crash involving two drunk drivers at the intersection of LA Hwy 385 and Tank Farm Road located south of Lake Charles. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2000 Ford Ranger pickup truck driven by 53-year-old George Edward Broussard Jr. of Bell City was traveling south on LA Hwy 385. Broussard failed to yield to oncoming traffic while turning left onto Tank Farm Road and turned into the path of a northbound 2005 GMC Sierra pickup truck driven by 37-year-old Deidre Cole Ward of Lake Charles. The vehicle Broussard was driving was struck on the passenger side by the vehicle driven by Ward. The front seat passenger in Broussard’s vehicle, 30-year-old Brett Davis Labove sustained life-threatening injuries. Broussard was also seriously injured. Both were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Neither was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and Labove died several days later as a result of his injuries. Ward, who was property restrained, was transported to an area hospital to be checked out for minor injuries. After being cleared by the hospital, she was transported to Troop D for processing. Upon arrival at Troop D, Ward refused to provide a toxicology sample. Details of the arrest were furnished to an on-call judge who approved a “no refusal” search warrant that allowed Troopers to obtain blood samples from Ward without her consent. Ward also provided a breath sample revealing a blood alcohol content almost 2 ½ times the legal limit. Ward was charged with DWI third offense, driving under suspension, and open alcoholic container. She was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. Additional charges are possible. Toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers and have been submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation. At the time of the crash, Broussard was cited for DWI first offense, vehicular negligent injuring, failure to yield while turning, and no seat belt. Additional charges are possible. Louisiana State Police will continue to arrest any motorist found to be operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. To report impaired drivers, motorists are urged to dial *LSP (*577) or contact their local law enforcement agency. 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. Motorists are encouraged to make the smart choice and to always wear a seat belt. Troop D has investigated 7 fatal crashes resulting in 8 deaths. Contact Information: | |||
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