| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 6893 | 2014-01-01 | Statewide | New Year’s Eve Crashes Result in Two Deaths and Multiple Injuries Across South Louisiana |
Headquarters News Release January 1, 2014 New Year’s Eve Crashes Result in Two Deaths and Multiple Injuries Across South Louisiana Throughout the evening and early morning hours of New Year’s Eve, Troopers across South Louisiana investigated several fatal and serious injury crashes resulting in the deaths of two occupants, the severe life-threatening injury to another, and moderate to serious injuries to nine additional motor vehicle occupants. In addition to the crashes, Louisiana State Troopers along with Department of Public Safety Police Officers made nearly 50 DWI arrests across the state preventing an incalculable number of additional fatal and injury crashes. The evening’s first fatal crash occurred shortly after 10:30 pm on LA Hwy 67 (Plank Rd.) south of LA Hwy 64 in East Baton Rouge Parish. The crash took the life of 51 year old Patricia W. Titus of Baton Rouge, LA. The initial investigation by LSP Troop A revealed that the crash occurred as 20 year old Christopher Price of Zachary was driving a 2004 GMC Yukon on LA Hwy 67. At the same time, Titus was driving a 2012 Toyota Camry. For unknown reasons, Price’s Yukon struck the Camry. After the initial impact, the collision then involved 71 year old Cleola Muse of Baton Rouge driving a 2010 Honda CRV and 24 year old Charmessia Venson of Baton Rouge driving a 2003 Toyota Camry. Titus suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Price, Muse, and Venson suffered moderate to severe injuries and were transported to local hospitals. Impairment and seatbelt use on the part of Price and Titus has yet to be determined at this time. The events and cause of the crash remain under investigation. Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop B began investigating the evening’s second fatal crash shortly before 11:00 pm on Interstate 10 eastbound near Causeway Boulevard in Jefferson Parish. The crash involved three vehicles and claimed the life of 63 year old William Grosz of Pearl River, LA. Preliminary investigation indicates that Grosz was driving a 2006 Mazda Miata on the Causeway Blvd. entrance ramp to I-10 east when he attempted to merge into the eastbound lanes and lost control of the vehicle. Upon losing control, the Mazda rotated in a counterclockwise direction and struck a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado traveling in the left center lane. The Chevrolet truck was driven by 25 year old Joel Sistrunk of Sumrall, MS. Following the initial impact, the Mazda then struck a 2011 Toyota Tundra traveling east in the right lane by 53 year old Richard Macaluso of New Orleans, LA. Grosz received fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Impairment and seat belt use for Grosz is unknown at this time. Sistrunk and Macaluso were both properly restrained and received minor injuries in the crash. Both drivers submitted to a breath alcohol test showing no detectable signs of alcohol. The crash remains under investigation. The evening’s final serious injury crash took place shortly after 1:00 am in St. Landry Parish and was investigated by Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I. Troopers’ investigation revealed that the crash occurred as a 2004 Jeep SUV, driven by 32 year old Yvonne Leblanc of Lebeau, LA, was traveling south on LA 182 north of LA 10. As the Jeep continued southbound, Leblanc failed to maintain control of the vehicle and ran off road causing the Jeep to overturn and eject all six unrestrained occupants. Front seat passenger, 40 year old Elizabeth Gaines, became trapped under the vehicle upon being ejected and received severe life-threatening injuries. The Jeep’s rear seat child occupants, ages 7, 10, 10, and 14, received moderate to serious injuries. Leblanc was not injured and was booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail charged with 5 counts of vehicular negligent injuring, 1st offense DWI, child endangerment, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, 4 counts of no child restraint, no seat belt, and failure to obtain motor vehicle insurance. While the crashes remain under investigation, Troopers urge all citizens to remain vigilant both as drivers and passengers in motor vehicles and ensure that all necessary precautionary measures are taken to ensure safe travels. Whether impaired through alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, the consequences of driving while impaired remain the same. In addition, the proper use of occupant protection systems including seat belts and air bags can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Louisiana law requires every vehicle occupant, front seat and back seat, to be properly restrained day or night. Poor decisions while behind the wheel such as driving while impaired or distracted and not utilizing vehicle restraints leads to serious injuries and deaths every day across the state. Making the responsible decision can mean the difference between life and death.
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