| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 6525 | 2015-11-26 | Statewide | Troopers Urge Safety Following Tragic Start to Thanksgiving Holiday |
HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE November 26, 2015 Troopers Urge Safety Following Tragic Start to Thanksgiving Holiday As families prepare to gather across our state to give thanks and celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, Troopers urge safety and personal responsibility as two separate overnight crashes resulted in the tragic deaths of five Louisiana citizens. Troopers and first responders across our state witness firsthand the devastating effects of poor decisions while operating motor vehicles each day on our roadways. Taking simple precautions such as never driving while impaired, fatigued, or distracted and always ensuring all occupants are properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death. Iberia Parish- The evening’s first crash took place shortly after 6:00 pm on LA 14 west of U.S. 90. The three vehicle crash took the lives of an uncle and nephew from Abbeville, LA. Troopers investigation revealed that the crash occurred as 29 year old Ernest Comesana Jr. of Crowley, LA was driving a 2007 Peterbilt 18 wheeler east on LA 14. As Comesana began to make a left turn through a cross over in order to proceed westbound on LA 14, two Suzuki motorcycles were traveling west on LA 14 approaching the cross over. The two bikes, operated by 45 year old Jones Mitchell and 25 year old Gerald Mitchell of Abbeville, LA, could not avoid striking the tractor trailer as it entered their lane of travel. Comesana was properly restrained at the time of the crash and was not injured. Jones and Gerald Mitchell were wearing DOT approved helmets, but suffered fatal injuries. Jones and Gerald Mitchell were pronounced dead on the scene by the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in the crash, however; Comesana voluntarily submitted to a chemical breath test which indicated he was not impaired at the time of the crash. Toxicological samples were taken from Jones and Gerald Mitchell by the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office for analysis. This crash remains under investigation with further charges forthcoming upon review by the Iberia Parish District Attorney’s Office. Plaquemines Parish- Shortly after 2:00 am this morning, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop B began investigating the second overnight multi-fatality crash on Parish Road 11 in Port Sulphur, LA. The single vehicle crash resulted in the deaths of the vehicle’s driver and two occupants. | |||
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