| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 7298 | 2021-07-18 | Troop I | Two Killed in Acadia Parish Crash |
TROOP I NEWS RELEASE July 18, 2021 Two Killed in Acadia Parish Crash Acadia Parish – On July 17, 2021, shortly before midnight, Louisiana State Police Troop I was notified of a two-vehicle fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 95 at the intersection with Louisiana Highway 1097 about 4 miles north of Duson. The crash claimed the lives of 44-year-old Dawn Bernard of Carencro and 53-year-old James Bellard of Church Point. The preliminary investigation revealed Bernard was traveling east on LA 1097 in a 2017 Honda Accord. As Bernard approached the intersection with LA 95, she failed to yield at a stop sign. The Honda entered the intersection and was struck by a northbound 2006 Ford F-350 driven by Bellard. After the collision, both vehicles came to rest off the roadway. Bellard, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Seatbelt use on behalf of Bernard is unknown at this time. She was transported to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. A toxicology sample was collected from both drivers and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation. According to the Center for Disease Control, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among people age 1 to 54 in America. Taking 3 seconds to buckle up is your best defense for surviving a traffic crash. Always ensure every occupant is properly restrained. Every trip. Every time. Troop I has investigated 32 fatal crashes resulting in 41 deaths in 2021. Contact Information: Trooper Ross Brennan Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section Office: (985) 857-3680 ross.brennan@la.gov | |||
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