Aggrostats

Based on independent witness statements and on scene evidence, Troopers determined a dark blue Chevrolet Silverado registered to a subject in Gulfport, MS was at fault in the deadly crash. Through their continued investigation, Troopers confirmed that Daniel Alex Coy was the vehicle’s driver at the time of the crash. Working alongside detectives with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, LSP Troopers obtained an arrest warrant charging Coy with Negligent Homicide, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Felony Hit and Run.

Troopers’ initial on-scene investigation revealed the crash occurred shortly after 9:30 PM on Tuesday November 3^rd, 2015, as 26 year old Steven Shawn Clark of Theodore, AL was operating an 18-wheeler westbound on Interstate 10 in the left lane. Next to Clark’s vehicle, in the right lane, was a second 18-wheeler driven by 45 year-old Andrew Chapple of San Antonio, TX. As the 18-wheelers continued westbound on Interstate 10, a yet to be identified dark colored pickup truck attempted to pass Chapple’s 18-wheeler on the right shoulder. During the illegal passing sequence, the dark colored pickup crashed into the left front of Chapple’s 18-wheeler.

Following the impact, Chapple’s vehicle entered into the left lane and crashed into Clark’s vehicle. Clark’s 18-wheeler was pushed into and over the left cement barrier before finally crashing into the Pearl River. His remains were recovered with the assistance of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Dive Team. Clark was pronounced deceased on scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Following the crash, the dark colored truck fled the scene westbound on Interstate 10 towards Slidell. There were no other injuries in the crash.

The investigation is on-going and any additional charges will be referred to the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office.

FINAL UPDATE: As of last night (November 4, 2015) LSP personnel proceeded to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) office to meet with Daniel Alex Coy, W/M, DOB: 06/04/1990, who resides at 13199 Sheldon Street, Gulfport MS,and conducted an interview. Troopers received from Coy a written signed confession, along with an audio recording, of the events surrounding the I10 Westbound fatal vehicle crash, which occurred on 11/03/15, at approximately 2130 hours.

An arrest warrant was then compiled, and shortly after midnight on 11/04/2015, the arrest warrant was signed by Judge William Burris to be executed. Once entered into NCIC, the arrest warrant was served upon Daniel A. Coy who was immediately arrested as a Louisiana fugitive in Mississippi. Coy is being detained until he may be brought before a judge for extradition proceeding.

As reflected below, the arrest warrant was for the charges that follows: LRS 14:32 (Negligent Homicide), LRS 14:99 (Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle) and LRS 14:100.C(2) Felony Hit and Run.

UPDATE 1:

Vehicle 1 was identified by at least two independent witnesses as a "dark colored" Chevrolet pick-up truck that drove reckless on the westbound lanes of I-10 prior and during the crash event sequence. The vehicle's license plate was obtained. The Chevrolet began its Reckless Operation in Mississippi and continued as it entered Louisiana. It encountered a 2000 International TT in the right lane and attempted a passing maneuver on the right shoulder. It approached a guardrail and abruptly steered to the left and struck the International TT's bumper. A 2013 Freightliner TT was in the left lane and braked as it traveled to the left shoulder. The Freightliner steered to the right to re-enter its lane and it was struck by the 2000 International at the center line. The Freightliner changed direction and struck the left lane's concrete rail of the West Pearl River Bridge causing it to break. The Freightliner fell approximately 30 feet into the river. The Chevrolet pick up fled the scene.

Due to stabilization of the vehicle, ASAP towing had to use boom trucks that blocked the EB & WB lanes during the recovery effort that was hampered by flood stage events and an underwater ledge "fall off" that the tractor was within.

St Tammany Rescue divers were summoned to the scene and at 0500 hours recovered the body of the Freightliner's driver. DOTD was on scene and facilitated the removal of large vehicle parts and the installation of a temporary railing system, concrete debris clean up and the area was marked with a reduced speed zone.

ASAP will recover the Freightliner during the night of Thursday, November 5th from the median and it is loaded with dry goods.

LSP Detectives and the Crime Lab are assisting in the investigation. MBI is active as well. The investigating trooper was Jeffrey Theriot and he was assisted by Talmadge Dixon. The on scene supervisors was SGT Randy Revels and myself.

2000 International TT: JTM Transport - CODE E - Roberto Torrez, HM, DOB 09/02/64, 4406 Rothberger Way, San Antonio, TX

Passenger/Co Driver: - CODE E - Miguel Espinoza, HM, DOB 06/28/48 378 Hatcher, San Antonio, Texas

2013 Freightliner TT: Dolphin Trucking Company - CODE A - Steven S. Clark , WM, DOB 08/06/89, 6710 Oaklane Drive, Theodore, ALA. (Removed from the scene by the St Tammany Parish Coroner's office.

Notification of next of kin was on November 4th at 1600 hours Inv Mark Ford to Heather Everett (Mother).

SUSPECT VEHICLE: -DO NOT DISSEMINATE - 1999 Chevrolet PU MS/HJ1766, 14069 Fox Hill Road, Gulfport, MS.

Blood samples were obtained and use is not suspected on driver's 2 and 3.

Slidell, LA- Shortly after 9:30 PM on Tuesday November 3^rd, 2015, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L responded to a three vehicle fatal hit and run crash on the Interstate 10 Westbound Middle Pearl River Bridge. The fatal crash involved two 18-wheelers and an unknown dark colored pickup truck. The crash resulted in fatal injuries for 26 year old Steven Shawn Clark of Theodore, AL.

The initial on scene investigation led Troopers to determine that Clark was operating an 18-wheeler westbound on Interstate 10 in the left lane. Next to Clark’s vehicle, in the right lane, was a second 18-wheeler driven by 45 year-old Andrew Chapple of San Antonio, TX. As the 18-wheelers continued westbound on Interstate 10, a yet to be identified dark colored pickup truck attempted to pass Chapple’s 18-wheeler on the right shoulder. During the illegal passing sequence, the dark colored pickup crashed into the left front of Chapple’s 18-wheeler.

Following the impact, Chapple’s vehicle entered into the left lane and crashed into Clark’s vehicle. Clark’s 18-wheeler was pushed into and over the left cement barrier before finally crashing into the Pearl River. His remains were recovered with the assistance of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Dive Team. Clark was pronounced deceased on scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Following the crash, the dark colored truck fled the scene westbound on Interstate 10 towards Slidell. There were no other injuries in the crash.

Troopers are seeking information on the dark colored truck involved in the crash. Anyone with information as to the driver of this vehicle or his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Louisiana State Police Troop L at 985-893-6250. This crash remains under investigation.

Motorists are encouraged to use caution in the area of the crash due to the ongoing vehicle recovery process.

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