| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3639 | 2013-12-24 | Troop D | Unrestrained Texas Man Dies in Calcasieu Parish Crash |
TROOP D NEWS RELEASE December 24, 2013 Unrestrained Texas Man Dies in Calcasieu Parish Crash On December 24, 2013, at 7:09 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a report of a vehicle in the ditch along Louisiana Highway 27 north of the Ellender Bridge in Hackberry. Troopers arrived on the scene and determined that a single-vehicle crash had occurred. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2004 GMC pickup truck driven by 32-year-old Belisario D. Rodriguez of McAllen, TX was traveling north on Louisiana Highway 27 when Rodriguez began to run off the road in a slight curve. Evidence at the scene indicates Rodriguez overcorrected and lost control of the vehicle, causing it to enter a ditch then roll several times into a marshy area with high grass weeds. Rodriguez, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle. Troopers searched the area, wading through waist deep water and high weeds, and located Rodriguez’s body approximately 200 feet away from the vehicle. Rodriquez was pronounced dead at the scene by the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office. The crash occurred during the overnight hours between 6:00 p.m. last night and before dawn this morning and was not discovered until daylight today. A toxicology sample was obtained from Rodriguez and will be submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation. Seatbelt usage among pickup truck occupants is lower than in passenger vehicles despite the fact that the decision not to wear a seatbelt in any vehicle can have deadly consequences. Troopers regularly encourage motorists to wear their seatbelt and this crash serves as yet another tragic reminder of how important this can be. | |||
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