| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3765 | 2015-11-02 | Troop E | Lack of Seat Belt Usage, Speed, and Suspected Impairment Factors in Deadly Crash |
TROOP E NEWS RELEASE November 2, 2015 Lack of Seat Belt Usage, Speed, and Suspected Impairment Factors in Deadly Crash Natchitoches Parish – Late yesterday afternoon, a crash involving two vehicles killed a man from Natchitoches, LA that was not wearing his seat belt. Speed and suspected impairment are also considered factors related to the deceased driver. Troopers responded to the crash around 5:40 p.m., which occurred on LA Hwy 494 at Cedar Grove Drive. The crash involved a 2012 Dodge Challenger, driven by Elton L. Smith (B/M 38 yrs) and a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by Linda H. Madison (B/F 61 yrs) of Natchez, LA. The Dodge was eastbound on LA Hwy 494 when it collided with the rear of the Chevrolet. After this initial collision, the Dodge exited the right side of the roadway and collided with a cattle guard and a tree. Smith was pronounced dead. Toxicology tests are pending. Madison was wearing her seat belt and was not injured. She was charged with DWI. The crash remains under investigation. Louisiana State Police would like to take this opportunity to remind/inform motorists that properly wearing your seat belt will dramatically reduce your chance of being injured or killed in a crash. We ask you to take one second to “buckle up!” Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Not wearing a seat belt remains the leading cause of death in motor vehicle crashes. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in 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. Motorists must be reminded that alcohol has many effects on the body. Alcohol can impair visual ability, alter sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills needed to operate a motor vehicle, and decrease reaction times. Just one drink may cause these effects. Troop E Troopers have investigated 40 fatal crashes in 2015, resulting in 47 fatalities. Contact Information: M/T Daniel “Scott” Moreau Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section – Troop E Office: (318) 769-9USA (872) scott.moreau@la.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice | |||
| No attachments for this article. | |||