| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 808 | 2009-12-24 | Troop A | Deadly Start to Christmas Holiday; Impairment and Lack of Seat Belt Use Common Denominators |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP A - NEWS RELEASE Deadly Start to Christmas Holiday; Impairment and Lack of Seat Belt Use Common Denominators BATON ROUGE – State Troopers have been busy over the past two days throughout the state with crashes causing deaths and serious injuries. The common denominator in these crashes has been impaired drivers, lack of seat belt use, or a combination of the two. Troop A investigated a single vehicle crash this morning shortly after 5:00 am in Iberville Parish. Leroy Blake (W/M DOB 01/08/72) of White Castle was driving a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe west on LA 993 west of LA 3000 when he ran off the road to the left, entered a ditch, struck a culvert, and became airborne. The vehicle landed upside down and partially submerged in a canal. Blake was not wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred and was located in the rear cargo area of the Tahoe when the wrecker retrieved it from the canal. The Iberville Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced Blake dead at the scene. Troopers have submitted a sample of Blake’s blood to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for Chemical Analysis. At this time, it is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash. Troopers in Troop C (Gray, LA) have investigated two fatal crashes that have killed 3 people and left one critically injured over night. A single vehicle crash on LA. 659 in Terrebonne Parish claimed the life of a 46 year old male of Houma, LA. Timothy Blanchard (W/M, 46 of Houma, LA) was operating a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound on LA 659 in Houma when he crossed the centerline and drove off of the southbound lane and continued off the roadway striking a utility pole. Blanchard, who was wearing a non DOTD-approved helmet, received fatal injuries. Blanchard was pronounced dead at the scene. Impairment is suspected to be a factor in the crash. Blood results are pending from the Terrebonne Parish Coroner’s Office. Troopers are still continuing their investigation. A two vehicle crash on LA 18 in St. James Parish claimed the lives of two and left one in critical condition. Alvin Lassere Jr. (B/M, 37 of Vacherie, LA) was operating a 2000 Ford Taurus northbound on LA 18 in St. James and failed to negotiate a right hand curve. Lassere’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the southbound lane and struck a 2007 Kia Sportage, driven by Lionel Darcey Jr. (B/M, 19 of Vacherie, LA.). Lassere, who was not wearing his seatbelt, sustained fatal injuries. Darcey, who was not wearing his seatbelt, sustained critical injuries. Henry Joseph Jr. (B/M, 51, of St. James, LA), who was the right front passenger in Darcey’s vehicle, was not wearing his seatbelt and sustained fatal injuries. Darcey was transported to East St. James Hospital by Acadian Ambulance. Darcey was later transported to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA. Alcohol and drug involvement is unknown at this time pending results from the St. James Coroner’s Office and Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. No charges have been filed in the crash. Troopers are continuing their investigation. With the holidays here, Troopers would like to remind everyone that there is no excuse for impaired drivers to be on our roadways. Troopers have stepped up DWI enforcement in an effort to keep impaired drivers off the roads. Historically, we have seen more serious injuries and deaths caused by impaired drivers at this time of year. Troopers would also like to remind motorists that Louisiana law requires that everyone in the vehicle wear a seat belt. The three seconds it takes to buckle up can mean the difference between life and death. The additional amount of impaired and sleepy drivers, combined with the wet roadway conditions, poor visibility, and bad weather make for a very dangerous combination. Louisiana State Police wants everyone to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year; but most importantly, we want it to be a SAFE holiday season. Do not drive impaired and always buckle up! Following these two simple rules will save lives!! Contact Information: | |||
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