Aggrostats

Speed And No Seat Belt Contributing Factors In Vernon Parish Fatal Crash

On August 13, 2014, at 8:57 p.m., Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a single vehicle fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 8 at Smith Lane that left a Flatwoods man dead.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Honda Accord, driven by 62-year-old Gaylon Bolton of Flatwoods, was traveling east on Louisiana Highway 8 at a high rate of speed when it drove off the right side of the road and struck several trees. The Honda then rolled over onto its roof.

Bolton was not wearing his seat belt and was partially ejected. Bolton suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Vernon Parish Coroner’s Office.

Impairment on the part of Bolton is unknown. A toxicology sample was taken and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway. Speeding also extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle and can lead to a more serious collision in cases where the vehicle strikes another object. Troopers encourage motorists to observe the speed limit and to drive in a safe and prudent manner.

Louisiana law requires that every person in a motor vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Statistics show that the chances of surviving a violent crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Taking the time to buckle up before every trip is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash

Troop E has investigated 30 fatal crashes which have resulted in 35 deaths so far this year.



Contact Information
Trooper Albert Paxton
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs
Section-Troop F
Office: (318) 345-2810
albert.paxton@la.gov
www.LSP.org
www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice