| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3851 | 2017-03-19 | Troop E | Alcohol and Speed Suspected Factors in Deadly Motorcycle Crash |
TROOP E NEWS RELEASE March 19, 2017 Alcohol and Speed Suspected Factors in Deadly Motorcycle Crash Rapides Parish – Late yesterday afternoon, Troopers responded to a single vehicle crash that killed a man from Leesville, LA. He was wearing a helmet, but was ejected from the motorcycle. Alcohol and excessive speed are considered possible factors in the crash. Troopers responded to the crash around 5:40 p.m., which occurred on LA Hwy 28 West near Miller Road. The crash involved a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle, driven by Donald W. Smith (W/M 63 yrs). The Harley was westbound on LA Hwy 28 when Smith lost control and exited the left side of the roadway. After exiting the roadway into the grass median, the motorcycle overturned and Smith was ejected. Smith received serious injuries and was transported to Rapides Regional Trauma Center where he was later pronounced dead. Routine toxicology tests are pending. The crash remains under investigation. 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. 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. Troop E Troopers have investigated seven fatal crashes in 2017, resulting in ten fatalities. Contact Information: M/T Daniel “Scott” Moreau Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section – Alexandria Region Office: (318) 769-9USA (872) scott.moreau@la.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice | |||
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