Aggrostats

Crash scene investigators determined a Toyota Corolla driven by 54 year-old John Joseph Gold of Sloan, NY was traveling westbound on Interstate 12 in the right lane. Ahead of the Corolla, also in the right lane, was a Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Sam Gebbia. The Corolla closed the distance with the pickup truck and crashed into its rear bumper. The impact caused Gebbia’s truck to run off the right side of the roadway. After exiting the roadway, the truck overturned and crashed into several trees along the tree line. Gebbia was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. He was ejected from his vehicle and suffered severe injuries. Gebbia was pronounced deceased on scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office.

After crashing into the rear of Gebbia’s truck, Gold’s Corolla ran off the left side of the roadway and crashed into the cable barrier along the center median. Gold was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured in the crash. Gold provided investigators with a voluntary breath sample, which showed no trace amounts of alcohol. Although Troopers do not currently suspect impairment to have been a factor in this crash, blood samples were obtained and will be sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Gold was issued a summons for Careless Operation. The crash remains under investigation and any additional charges will be referred to the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office.

While not all crashes are survivable, it is statistically proven that simply putting on your seatbelt greatly increases your chances of surviving a crash. No one plans to be involved in a crash and it only takes seconds to be a part of a high speed life changing collision. Please get in the habit of putting on your seatbelt every trip, every time.

Contact Information:
TFC Dustin Dwight
Louisiana State Police – Troop L
Public Affairs Section
Office: (985) 893-6250
Dustin.Dwight@la.gov
www.LSP.org
www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice