Aggrostats

Duson - The first crash occurred shortly before 8:00 a.m. on July 6, 2021, on Interstate 10 near mile marker 92, West of Duson in Acadia Parish. The crash claimed the life of 30-year-old John Cooper Guidry of Iowa and 34-year-old Joshua Lee Babineaux of Lafayette.

The initial investigation revealed the crash occurred as an eastbound 2011 Freightliner 18-wheeler, driven by 67-year-old Nicholas Anthony of New Iberia, experienced a front tire failure. Anthony lost control and struck an eastbound Ford F250, dragging the F250 across the median into the westbound travel lanes. Upon entering the westbound lanes, the 18-wheeler impacted a 2018 Toyota RAV 4 and a 2016 Ram pickup pulling a livestock trailer loaded with several head of cattle.

Troopers determined Babineaux was the driver of the Toyota SUV and Guidry was an unrestrained passenger in the Ram pickup. Seat belt usage on the part of Babineaux was unable to be determined due to the severity of the damage. All other occupants and drivers involved were transported to two area hospitals for treatment of injuries ranging from minor to severe.

While impairment is not suspected, toxicology samples were obtained from the drivers for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Egan - The second crash occurred shortly before 11:00 a.m. on July 6, 2021 on Interstate 10 near mile marker 69 about four miles east of Jennings in Acadia Parish. The crash claimed the life of the driver whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The initial investigation revealed the crash occurred as the driver of a 2009 Dodge Ram pickup was traveling East on I-10. As the driver of the Ram approached stopped traffic, due to a single-vehicle crash near mile marker 70, he sideswiped a stopped 18-wheeler. After the initial impact with the 18-wheeler, he then rear-ended a Ford F150.

Despite being properly restrained, the driver of the Ram sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the 18-wheeler was properly restrained and was not injured. The driver of the F150 and his occupants were all properly restrained and were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Although impairment is not suspected, Toxicology results are pending on all drivers. This crash remains under investigation.

The difficult assignment of death notification continues to be one of the hardest elements of the Law Enforcement profession. Notification is even more difficult when Troopers know that the outcome was preventable. Please take a moment to put the safety of you and your loved ones ahead of everything else. Aside from sound decisions behind the wheel, speak to your family and friends about the consequences of impaired driving. Remind them that putting on a seatbelt greatly reduces the chances of being killed or seriously injured in a crash. Speak to them about the dangers of distracted driving. The conversation you have today could be the difference tomorrow.

Troop I has investigated 31 fatal crashes resulting in 39 deaths in 2021.

Contact Information:
TFC Thomas Gossen
Louisiana State Police
Troop I Public Affairs
Office: (337) 262-5880
thomas.gossen@la.gov