Aggrostats

Vermilion Parish - Troopers from LSP Troop I responded to the morning’s first crash shortly after 1:00 am on LA 330 approximately 2 miles south of Jean Road. Preliminary investigation revealed that the crash occurred as a 2002 Chevrolet truck was traveling south on LA 330. The driver of the Chevrolet, 64 year old Frank Blanchard of Abbeville, LA, failed to negotiate a left curve in the roadway. As the Chevrolet truck began to travel off the right side of the roadway, Blanchard overcorrected to the left causing the truck to reenter the roadway and cross both lanes of LA 330. Upon crossing the highway, the Chevrolet left the paved roadway for a second time and struck a culvert resulting in Blanchard being ejected from the vehicle. Blanchard was unrestrained at the time of the crash and was transported to Abbeville General Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Toxicology results are pending.

East Baton Rouge Parish – At approximately 2:40 am, a Troop A Trooper experienced firsthand the dangers of impaired drivers as his fully marked State Police Tahoe was stuck from the rear while stopped on Interstate 12. The crash occurred as the Trooper was properly parked on the shoulder of the roadway while investigating a crash on I-12 eastbound near LA 3245 / O’Neal Lane. The Trooper had just placed the driver of the original crash under arrest for DWI. As both the Trooper and the impaired driver were seated in the LSP Tahoe, it was struck from behind by a 2009 Toyota Highlander traveling eastbound. Both the Trooper and the arrested driver sustained minor to moderate injuries and were transported to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. The driver of the Toyota Highlander, 24 year old Magen Alicia Hall, was properly restrained at the time of the crash and received minor injuries. Hall was treated at the scene, placed under arrest for DWI, and transported to LSP Troop A where she submitted to the breath alcohol test registering nearly double the legal limit. She was subsequently booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of Careless Operation and 1st offense DWI.

Tangipahoa Parish - The morning’s second fatal crash occurred shortly before 4:00 am on the elevated portion of Interstate 55 near Ponchatoula. Troopers’ preliminary investigation concluded that a Honda sedan and a Volkswagen passenger vehicle had recently been involved in a crash on Interstate 55 northbound. After the initial crash, the two vehicles stopped on the left shoulder and partially in the left lane. The involved drivers were outside of their vehicles discussing the crash, when a 2003 Toyota truck struck the Honda and its driver, 27 year old Tashe N. Disroe of New Orleans, LA. Disroe was killed in the second crash. Drug impairment is suspected for the driver of the Toyota truck, 43 year old Scott Parfait of Kenner, LA. He was subsequently booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on charges of Vehicular Homicide, Careless Operation, and Driving Under Suspension. Toxicology results are pending for Parfait.

Whether impaired through alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, the consequences of driving while impaired remain the same. Driver impairment continues to be a leading factor in fatal crashes across the state. A person’s ability to make good decisions is diminished as alcohol is absorbed in the body. This can begin after consuming just ONE drink. Troopers continue to urge motorists to remain vigilant while on area roadways, pay close attention to their surroundings, never drive impaired, and always have a plan. This plan should include always choosing a designated driver when consuming alcohol or taking medications that could potentially cause impairment while driving. Making poor decisions in a vehicle leads to serious injuries and deaths every day across the state. Making the responsible decision can mean the difference between life and death.

Motorists that witness hazardous situations are urged to call *LSP (*577) and report that activity to the Louisiana State Police.



Contact Information:
Sgt. Nick Manale
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: 225-925-6202