| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3614 | 2014-10-15 | Troop D | Unrestrained Passenger Dies in Crash Caused by Impaired Driver |
TROOP D NEWS RELEASE October 15, 2014 Unrestrained Passenger Dies in Crash Caused by Impaired Driver Roanoke – On October 15, 2014, at 5:17 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a report of a single vehicle crash on Interstate Highway 10 just west of the community of Roanoke in Jefferson Davis Parish that claimed the life of a man from Lake Arthur. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by 21-year-old Taylor R. Pellerin of Lake Arthur was traveling east on I-10 when, for unknown reasons, the truck he was driving traveled into the median. The vehicle rolled over several times causing the unrestrained driver and passenger to be ejected. The passenger, 22-year-old Jordan K. Gatte of Lake Arthur, landed in the westbound lanes of travel and was struck by a passing 18-wheeler. Gatte was pronounced dead at the scene. Pellerin was flown to a Lafayette hospital with moderate injuries. Witnesses report the vehicle was driven in an erratic manner prior to the crash. Impairment on the part of Pellerin is suspected to be a factor in the crash. A toxicology sample was obtained from Pellerin and will be submitted for analysis. Troopers charged Pellerin with vehicular homicide, DWI, careless operation, and failure to wear a seat belt. The crash remains under investigation. Louisiana law requires motor vehicle occupants to be properly restrained in every seating position, day and night. Wearing a seatbelt significantly reduces the likelihood of being seriously injured or killed as the result of a crash and is the single most effective thing motorists can do to protect themselves. Last year, 63 percent of vehicle occupants who died in crashes investigated by Louisiana State Police Troop D were killed by an impaired driver. Motorists are encouraged to report impaired drivers by dialing *LSP (*577) from any cell phone or by contacting local law enforcement. Troop D has investigated 12 fatal crashes resulting in 12 deaths this year. | |||
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