| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3935 | 2013-08-03 | Troop E | Alcohol Suspected In Serious Injury Crash |
TROOP E NEWS RELEASE August 3, 2013 Alcohol Suspected In Serious Injury Crash Vernon Parish – Early this morning, a single vehicle crash seriously injured a man from DeRidder, LA. The driver is suspected of being impaired and both men were not wearing their seatbelts. Troopers responded to the crash around 1:15 a.m., which occurred on Lockhart Cutoff Road near LA Hwy 1146. The crash involved a 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, driven by James J. Dickens (W/M 32 yrs) of Hornbeck, LA. The Chevrolet was southbound on Lockhart Cutoff Road, at a high rate of speed, when Dickens lost control and exited the left side of the roadway. After exiting the left side of the roadway, Dickens overcorrected his vehicle and exited the right side before overturning numerous times. Dickens received moderate injuries. His only passenger, identified as Paul M. Pruitt (W/M 51 yrs), received serious injuries. Both men were ejected from the vehicle and both were transported to Rapides Regional Trauma Center. Routine toxicology tests and charges 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. Louisiana State Police would like to take this opportunity to remind/inform motorists that properly wearing your seatbelt will dramatically reduce your chance of being injured or killed in a crash. We ask you to take one second to “buckle up!” | |||
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