| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 6108 | 2010-12-22 | Troop G | One Killed in Oversized Load Fatality Crash in Red River Parish |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent News Release – December 21, 2010
One Killed in Oversized Load Fatality Crash in Red River Parish Coushatta - On December 20, 2010, at 4:18 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a two vehicle crash in Coushatta involving an oversized load. The crash, which occurred on US 71, approximately one mile north of Coushatta, claimed the life of a 63-year-old man from Gulfport, Mississippi. According to investigating troopers, state police troopers were escorting multiple oversized loads in a convoy northbound on US 71 just north of Coushatta. Each load, which was on its state assigned permitted route, consisted of a pre-stress concrete support beam that measured over 100 feet in length and weighed over 130,000 lbs. The oversized loads originated in St Tammany Parish and were being escorted by troopers to a location in Bossier Parish. During the escort, the 24-wheel dolly/steering unit, which was electronically controlled, suffered a malfunction. The load was the fifth and last in the convoy and was being pulled by a 2010 Mack truck driven by 63-year-old Cleveland Sims of Gulfport, MS. As a result of the malfunction, the rear portion of the load veered left across the southbound lane of travel onto the shoulder while the Mack truck continued in the northbound lane of travel. Consequently, the back portion of the load collided with a 1998 Volvo Department of Transportation and Development dump truck, driven by 38-year-old Edward Adams of Ashland. During Sim’s attempt to avoid the collision, the Mack truck was brought to a sudden stop which caused the load to dismount and shift forward into the back cab area. Shortly after the crash, escorting troopers immediately notified emergency medical personnel, secured the scene and began rending aid and assistance. Sims, who was restrained at the time of the crash, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Red River Parish Coroner. Adams, who was restrained at the time of the crash, sustained minor injuries that were not life threatening. He was transported to Christus Schumpert Hospital in Coushatta by a private citizen where he was treated and released. Routine toxicology test results are pending and the crash remains under investigation. Troop G troopers have investigated 41 fatal crashes for the year of 2010, resulting in 47 fatalities. Contact Information: | |||
| No attachments for this article. | |||