| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 58 | 2016-03-09 | Troop A | 19 Year Old Dies in Crash with Tow Truck in Iberville Parish |
| TROOP A NEWS RELEASE March 9, 2016 19 Year Old Dies in Crash with Tow Truck in Iberville Parish White Castle, LA – Shortly before 11:00 pm on March 8, 2016, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a two vehicle fatality crash on LA 1 at the intersection of Corporal Herman Brown Jr St. in Iberville Parish. The crash took the life of 19 year old Orthello Batiste of White Castle, LA. The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Batiste was traveling westbound on Cpl Herman Brown Jr St. in a 2012 Acura TL. At the same time, 36 year old Russell Gerace Jr was traveling northbound on LA 1 in a 2008 Ford Tow Truck (Advantage Towing). For unknown reasons, Batiste failed to yield at the stop sign and began to cross LA 1 into the path of Gerace’s vehicle. Batiste’s vehicle was struck on its driver’s side in the northbound lane of LA 1 by Gerace’s vehicle. Batiste was properly restrained but sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Iberville Parish Coroner’s Office. Batiste’s passenger was not properly restrained and received serious injuries in the crash. Gerace was properly restrained and received only minor injuries. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this crash but a toxicology sample will be taken from both drivers for analysis. Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death. Contact Information: | |||
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