| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 5288 | 2013-09-28 | Troop F | Unrestrained Passenger Killed in Union Parish |
TROOP F NEWS RELEASE September 28, 2013
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2005 Chevrolet Impala was traveling south on U.S. Highway 167 when it drove into the median then back onto the road. The driver, 23-year-old Shamaka Holmes of El Dorado, Arkansas, then drove back into the median a second time. This caused the Chevrolet to rotate counterclockwise and to begin rolling over. The Chevrolet continued rolling southeast across the median and both north travel lanes. The Chevrolet came to rest on the east side of U.S. Highway 167. Holmes was properly restrained, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Union Parish Coroner’s Office. The passenger, 23-year-old Christopher Welch of El Dorado, Arkansas, was not properly restrained and was ejected from the Chevrolet. Welch suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Union Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment is not suspected. A toxicology sample was obtained and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation. While the exact cause of this crash has not been determined, inattentive and distracted driving are leading causes of crashes in our state. Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second its consequences can be devastating. More information on distracted driving may be found online at www.distraction.gov. While not all crashes are survivable, wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing motorists can do to protect themselves from injury or death in the event of a crash. Louisiana state law requires vehicle occupants in all seating positions to be properly restrained. Troop F has investigated 32 fatal crashes which have resulted in 36 deaths so far this year Contact Information Trooper Albert Paxton Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section Office: (318) 345-2810 albert.paxton@la.gov | |||
| No attachments for this article. | |||