| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 44 | 2016-04-11 | Troop A | Impairment Suspected in Crash that Killed 4 Year Old and 6 Year Old in Livingston Parish |
| TROOP A NEWS RELEASE April 11, 2016 Impairment Suspected in Crash that Killed 4 Year Old and 6 Year Old in Livingston Parish Walker, LA – Shortly before 8:30 pm on April 10, 2016, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a four vehicle fatality crash on LA 447 south of Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish. The crash took the life of 4 year old Samuel Shropshire and 6 year old Khaiden Ramsey of Baton Rouge, LA. The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred after 50 year old Travis Rose of Denham Springs made a left turn from a private drive onto LA 447 in a 1997 Nissan pickup. A garbage compactor fell out of the bed of Rose’s vehicle and landed in the northbound lane of LA 447. Rose left the object in the roadway and drove back to his residence. Thirty-four year old Michelle Ramsey of Baton Rouge, LA was traveling northbound on LA 447 in a 2015 Toyota Camry. Ramsey struck the garbage compactor in the northbound lane and pulled her vehicle off the roadway. Twenty-nine year old Johnell Butler of Walker, LA was also traveling northbound on LA 447 in a 2007 Nissan Versa. Butler did not strike the garbage compactor but pulled her vehicle off the roadway behind Ramsey. The occupants of Ramsey and Butler’s vehicles placed caution triangles along the roadway to warn oncoming motorists of the hazard. While they were attempting the remove the garbage compactor from the roadway, 26 year old Jerry Ervin III of Holden, LA drove through the triangles in his 1998 Toyota 4 Runner. Ervin ran off the right side of the roadway and struck both Ramsey and Butler’s vehicles and five of the occupants who were standing outside of the vehicles. Four year old Samuel Shropshire and six year old Khaiden Ramsey sustained fatal injuries in the crash. They were pronounced deceased at the scene by the Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office. Michelle Ramsey, a 16 year old male, and a 15 year old female all sustained serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Ervin sustained serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital. Troopers also suspect impairment on the part of Ervin and charges are pending. Toxicology samples were taken from both Rose and Ervin for analysis. Troopers located Rose at his residence and determined that he was impaired. He was placed under arrest and booked into the Livingston Parish Jail for Vehicular Homicide, Felony Hit and Run, Aggravated Obstruction of Highway, Failure to Secure Load, and No Insurance. Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that impaired driving continues to be a major problem throughout Louisiana. Whether impaired through alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, the consequences of driving while impaired remain the same. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death. Motorists are urged to call *LSP (*577) to reach the nearest LSP Troop location to report hazardous roadway conditions or request assistance if needed. Contact Information: | |||
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