| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3616 | 2014-09-18 | Troop D | Reckless Driver Causes Fatal Crash Near Westlake |
TROOP D NEWS RELEASE September 18, 2014 Reckless Driver Causes Fatal Crash Near Westlake Westlake – On September 17, 2014, at 4:32 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a four vehicle crash on Interstate Highway 10 near Westlake in Calcasieu Parish that claimed the life of South Carolina man. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1990 GMC pickup truck driven by 21-year-old Jeremy Allen Reynolds of Westlake was traveling east on I-10 near Westlake at a high rate of speed. According to witnesses, Reynolds was driving in a reckless manner and ran off the road twice. The second time, Reynolds overcorrected, lost control, and traveled into the highway median. As the truck traveled into the median the bed cover came off. This caused two other vehicles to collide in the eastbound lanes as one of the vehicles attempted to avoid striking the bed cover. No one was injured in that portion of the crash. The GMC Reynolds was driving continued across the median and traveled into the westbound lanes of travel striking a 2014 Ford head-on, severely damaging the Ford. The driver of the Ford, 27-year-old Richard B. Ravenell of Greenville, South Carolina, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office. Reynolds was not injured and all vehicle occupants were wearing a seat belt. Routine toxicology samples were obtained from the drivers and will be submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation. Reynolds was arrested and charged with negligent homicide, reckless operation of a vehicle, driving under suspension, and failure to secure load. He was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center. Reckless driving can have deadly consequences. Troopers encourage motorists to observe the speed limit and to drive in a safe and prudent manner. To report reckless drivers, motorists may dial *LSP (*577) from their cellular phone or contact their local law enforcement agency. Troop D has investigated 10 fatal crashes resulting in 10 fatalities this year. Contact Information: | |||
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