| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 5581 | 2013-08-19 | Troop F | **UPDATE /August 19, 2013** |
TROOP F NEWS RELEASE **UPDATE /August 19, 2013** On Monday August 19, 2013 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office positively identified the driver of the Buick as 81-year-old Otis Mecom of Gulfport, Mississippi. August 15, 2013
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2002 Buick Park Avenue was traveling east on Interstate 20 in the left lane when it was struck in the rear by a 2000 Ford F-150, driven by 18-year-old Carlton West of Bossier City. Both vehicles became engulfed in flames. West was properly restrained and was able to exit the Ford. West did not report any injuries. The driver of the Buick was not able to exit. The driver of the Buick has not yet been positively identified and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment is not suspected. West was charged with negligent homicide and booked in the Ouachita Correctional Center. If convicted, West faces up to a $5,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison. 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. Troop F has investigated 31 fatal crashes which have resulted in 34 deaths so far this year Contact Information Trooper Albert Paxton Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section Office: (318) 345-2810 albert.paxton@dps.la.gov | |||
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