TROOP F NEWS RELEASE
July 9, 2014
Unidentified 18-Wheeler Driver Killed In Richland Parish Crash On July 8, 2014, at 5:24 p.m., Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a four vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 20 about 4 miles east of Rayville.
The preliminary investigation revealed that an 18-wheeler was traveling west on Interstate 20 when it struck a stopped 2012 Volvo 18-wheeler, driven by 52-year-old Nathaniel Thomas of Miramar, Florida, in the rear. This caused the Volvo to travel forward and strike a 2014 Toyota Prius, driven by 55-year-old Michael Jedynak of West Monroe, in the rear. The Toyota then was pushed into a 2009 Kenworth 18-wheeler, driven by 46-year-old John Wright of Holly Pond, Alabama. The Volvo, Kenworth and Toyota were all traveling west but were stopped due to traffic congestion in a work zone on Interstate 20.
At this time Troopers have been unable to identify the 18-wheeler and its driver due to the damage from a fire caused by the crash. The driver was pronounced dead on the scene by the Richland Parish Coroner’s office.
Jedynak was properly restrained, suffered moderate injuries and was transported to St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe. Wright and Thomas were properly restrained and did not report any injuries.
Impairment on the parts of Jedynak, Thomas and Wright is not suspected to be a factor in the crash. Toxicology samples were taken and submitted for analysis. Troopers were unable to obtain a toxicology sample from the unidentified driver. The crash remains under investigation.
While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, inattentive and distracted driving contribute to a significant number of crashes in our state. Information on distracted driving may be found online at www.distraction.gov.
Troop F has investigated 17 fatal crashes which have resulted in 17 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
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