| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 7940 | 2017-02-25 | Troop L | Motorist Killed in Crash with Bulldozer on Interstate 55 in Tangipahoa Parish |
TROOP L - NEWS RELEASE February 25, 2017 Motorist Killed in Crash with Bulldozer on Interstate 55 in Tangipahoa Parish Amite, LA- Shortly after 6:30 PM on Friday February 24, 2017, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L responded to a two-vehicle crash involving a Bulldozer on Interstate 55 northbound near Amite. The crash claimed the life of 55-year-old Denham Springs resident Deanna Lawton. The initial on-scene investigation led Troopers to believe that the crash occurred as 48-year-old James Lockhart of Galliano, LA was attempting to relocate a Cat DC5K Bulldozer from the center median to a “lowboy” semi-trailer, which was parked on the right northbound shoulder of Interstate 55. At the time of the crash, the location was not an active construction site and there were no warning signs for oncoming traffic. As Lockhart entered the right northbound lane, his Bulldozer was hit on the right side by a 2007 Saturn Ion driven by Lawton. The Saturn Ion sustained total damage to its front end. Despite being properly restrained, Lawton suffered fatal injuries in the crash. She was pronounced deceased on-scene by the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment is not suspected to have been a factor in this crash. As part of the ongoing investigation, blood samples were obtained from Lawton and will be sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Lockhart provided Troopers with a voluntary breath sample, which showed no amount of alcohol present. Lockhart was cited for Careless Operation. The investigation is ongoing and any additional finding will be forwarded to the Tangipahoa Parish District Attorney’s Office. Contact Information: | |||
| No attachments for this article. | |||