TROOP F - NEWS RELEASE
September 3, 2011
Troop F Troopers Investigate Pair of Fatal Crashes Troop F Troopers investigated two separate fatal crashes at the start of the Labor Day holiday weekend.
The first crash occurred at about 5:00 pm Friday evening in Franklin Parish. Troopers investigating the crash determined that a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban was traveling north on LA 618, proceeding onto LA 135, when the vehicle entered a curve. The driver lost control of the vehicle and slid off the roadway. The Suburban then over-turned and partially ejected the unrestrained driver.
The driver, identified as 37-year-old Lori A. James from West Monroe, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Franklin Parish Coroner's Office. There were also five children in the vehicle ranging in age from 9 to 14 years-of-age. The children were transported to the hospital with only minor injury complaints. While the driver was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, all, but one child was wearing a seat belt. Impairment is not suspected in this crash, but routine toxicology tests are pending.
The second fatal crash was investigated in Lincoln Parish at about 6:20 pm Friday evening. The investigation revealed that a 1995 GMC truck was traveling west on LA 146 when, for unknown reasons, the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the north edge of the highway. The driver then over-corrected and crossed back over both travel lanes. The truck then left the south side of the roadway, struck an embankment and over-turned.
The driver, identified as 60-year-old Carolyn Morrow from Ruston, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lincoln Parish Coroner's Office. Morrow was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Impairment is not suspected, but routine toxicology tests are pending.
Both of these crashes share an all-too-often commonality, the lack of seat belt use. In 2010, 59% of all fatalities in Louisiana involved unrestrained occupants. Properly wearing a seat belt and ensuring that all children are properly restrained is your best chance of surviving any crash. Buckle-up every time you get into a vehicle, no matter what.
In 2011, Louisiana State Police Troop F Troopers have investigated thirty-four (34) fatal crashes resulting in thirty-nine (39) deaths.
Contact Information:
TFC Mark Dennis
Public Information Officer
Louisiana State Police – Troop F
Office: (318) 345-2810
Mark.Dennis@dps.la.gov
www.LSP.org
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