| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 6906 | 2012-02-13 | Statewide | UPDATE:Five Fatalities Involved In Early Morning Crash |
| HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE February 13th, 2012 **UPDATE** Based on vehicle records and information provided by the family and Louisiana State University, investigating troopers suspect that the driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is 30 year old Ryan Gibbs of Baton Rouge, LA. Final positive identification and toxicology results are still pending the outcome of an autopsy. ***************************************************** Notification has been confirmed to the families of the Ford Focus’ occupants. The driver of the Ford has been identified as Lawayne Rice (B/M age 30) of Zachary, LA. The occupants of the Ford Focus include: Front seat passenger: Terrell Sims (B/M age 27) of Slaughter, LA Right rear passenger: Louis Brown Jr. (B/M age 19) of Baton Rouge, LA Left rear passenger: Dondray London (B/M age 20) of Baton Rouge, LA Rice and front seat passenger, Sims, were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Brown and London were not properly restrained. Five Fatalities Involved In Early Morning Crash Shortly before 3:00 a.m. this morning, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop B began investigating a four vehicle crash on the elevated portion of Interstate 10 westbound west of LA 3188 in St. John Parish. According to the investigating Troopers, a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling east in the westbound lanes of I-10 when it struck an oncoming 2010 Ford Focus traveling west. Shortly after the initial crash, the Jeep Cherokee was additionally struck by a westbound 2012 International 18-wheeler, driven by Ryan Firman (W/M age 61) of Cottonport, LA, and a 1998 Saturn sedan, driven by Reginald Nutter (B/M age 30) of Baton Rouge, LA. After the initial head-on collision, the Jeep SUV became engulfed in flames. Due to the extent of the fire, seatbelt use and impairment for the driver of the Jeep are unable to be determined pending toxicology results. The driver and three passengers of the Ford Focus all sustained fatal injuries in the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene. Two of the passengers in the Ford Focus were not properly restrained at the time of the crash. Firman received minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Nutter was transported to River Parish Hospital for minor injuries. Upon family notifications, the identities of the deceased victims in the Jeep and Ford Focus will be released. Investigating Troopers report that alcohol impairment is unknown at this time and routine toxicology tests are pending for each driver in the crash. While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, Troopers remind motorists of the dangers of impaired driving and lack of seatbelt use. While there have been fewer deaths associated with impaired driving in recent years, there is still much room for improvement. While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts 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. Taking the time to buckle up every trip and every time is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Motorists that witness hazardous situations are urged to call *LSP (*577) and report that activity to the Louisiana State Police. Contact Information: TFC Nick Manale Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Unit Troop L Office: (985) 893-6250 Ext:628 Nicholas.Manale@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
| No attachments for this article. | |||