Louisiana State Police News V1

LSP Article Full View

Source: http://lsp.org/news_detail.html?id=3989

id cleanReleaseDate troopName title
3989 2014-12-11 Troop E Lack of Seat Belt and Impairment Factors in Iowa Man’s Death


TROOP E NEWS RELEASE

December 11, 2014
Lack of Seat Belt and Impairment Factors in Iowa Man’s Death

Sabine Parish – Early yesterday evening, a single vehicle crash killed a man from Iowa. He was not wearing his seat belt and the driver is suspected of being impaired.

Troopers responded to the crash around 6:10 p.m., which occurred on LA Hwy 6 west of US Hwy 171. The crash involved a 2004 Dodge Neon, driven by Heather Ruth Knippers (W/F 37 yrs) of Jefferson, IA. The Dodge was westbound on LA Hwy 6 when Knippers lost control and exited the right side of the roadway. After exiting the roadway, the vehicle collided with a ditch.

Heather Knippers was not wearing her seat belt and received minor injuries. She was transported to Sabine Medical Center. Her passengers, identified as Roger Lavere Davis (W/M 60 yrs) of Jefferson, IA and Christopher Adair Knippers (W/M 39 yrs) of Jefferson, IA, were not wearing their seat belts. Christopher Knippers received moderate injuries and was transported to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport for treatment. Davis was transported to Sabine Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Heather Knippers is suspected of driving impaired. She was booked into the Sabine Parish Jail and charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular negligent injuring, careless operation, and driving under suspension.

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!”

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 45 fatal crashes in 2014, resulting in 54 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.