Aggrostats

September 5, 2009

Impairment Suspected in Two Separate Fatal Crashes

Troop F Troopers investigated two separate fatal crashes and suspect impairment as a factor in both.

The first crash occurred last night at about 11:33 pm in Richland Parish. A 2002 Ford Focus was traveling west on LA 856 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the south side of the road. The car entered a ditch and struck a concrete culvert where it became airborne. The driver, identified as 24-year-old Cody J. Mercer from Rayville, was ejected from the vehicle in the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Richland Parish Coroner’s Office.
Mercer was not wearing his seat belt and impairment is suspected to be a factor in the crash. Toxicology tests are pending.

The second fatal crash resulted in two deaths and occurred this morning at about 4:58 am in Union Parish. A 2000 Ford truck was traveling south on LA 549 about five miles north of LA 15 on the Bayou De Loutre Bridge. The truck was apparently traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control of the vehicle and crossed the northbound travel lane and struck the bridge guardrail and bridge. The truck continued about 75 feet before coming to rest on its passenger side in the middle of the roadway. The truck then became totally engulfed in flames.
The driver, identified as 23-year-old Luis Garcia Rodriquez from Farmerville, was ejected from the truck in the crash. He was transported to Union General Hospital where he later died from injuries he sustained in the crash. Rodriquez was not wearing his seat belt and impairment is suspected. Toxicology tests are pending.

A passenger in the Ford also died in the crash. That passenger was still in the vehicle when first responders arrived on the scene. The passenger has not been identified at this time.

In 2009, Louisiana State Police Troop F Troopers have investigated thirty (30) fatal crashes resulting in thirty-four (34) deaths.

Contact Information,

Trooper First Class Mark Dennis
Louisiana State Police
Troop F Public Affairs
Office: (318) 345-2810