| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8370 | 2009-03-22 | Troop L | Fatal Crash on the US 11 Bridge Takes the Life of a Slidell Resident |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP L- NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Date: March 22, 2009 Fatal Crash on the US 11 Bridge Takes the Life of a Slidell Resident Today, just before 9:30 AM in the morning, Louisiana State Police Troop L investigated a two-vehicle fatal crash on US 11 bridge in St. Tammany Parish. A 2007 Chevrolet pickup, driven by Leo Batiste (B/M/age 47) of Lacombe, LA, was traveling north on the northbound lane of the US 11 bridge. A 2004 Infinity SUV, driven by Dwight Bluford (B/M/age 36) of Slidell, LA, was traveling south on the southbound lane of the US 11 bridge. As the two vehicles approached one another, the Chevrolet pickup crossed over the centerline and traveled onto the southbound lane. The driver of the Infinity SUV steered to the left in an attempt to avoid being struck by the Chevrolet pickup. Both vehicles made contact with each other’s right front. The driver of the Infinity SUV, Dwight Bluford, of Slidell, LA, was pronounced dead at the scene by Mike Rodrigue of the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office, due to injuries sustained in the crash. Alcohol use is not suspected for Bluford; blood was obtained and will be submitted for analysis. Passenger one, Danielle Bluford (B/F/age 35) of Slidell, LA, was transported to Northshore Medical Center by Acadian Ambulance, to receive medical treatment for moderate injuries. Passenger two was a juvenile and was transported to Northshore Medical Center by Acadian Ambulance, to receive medical treatment for minor injuries. The driver was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, but both passengers were wearing their seat belts. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup, Leo Batiste of Lacombe, LA, was transported to Slidell Memorial Hospital to receive medical treatment for minor injuries. Upon the release of Batiste from the hospital he will be booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on the following charges; Driving Left of Center (R.S.32:71), Driving While Intoxicated (R.S.14:98), Vehicular Homicide (R.S.14:32.1) and two counts Vehicular Negligent Injuring (R.S.14:39.2). The driver was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. Impairment is suspected to be a factor in this crash; blood was obtained and will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis Contact Information: S/T Louis Calato Public Affairs Unit Louisiana State Police – Troop L Office: (985) 893-6250 Louis.Calato@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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