| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8498 | 2008-04-08 | Troop L | **UPDATE** Fatality Crash on LA 40 in St. Tammany Parish |
| NEWS RELEASE Troop L **UPDATE** Passenger three, Javier Velazquez Gachuzo (O/M/Age 19) of Covington, LA, was pronounced dead at the scene by Angel Galloway of the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office, due to injuries sustained in the crash.Fatality Crash on LA 40 in St. Tammany Parish April 6, 2008 At 5:27 AM, on April 6, 2008, Louisiana State Police Troop L investigated a one vehicle crash that resulted in the death of an unrestrained passenger. The crash occurred on LA 40 at milepost 41.7 in St. Tammany Parish. A 1997 Dodge Avenger, driven by Javier Gachuzo (O/M/Age 22) of Covington, LA, was traveling eastbound on LA 40, when it entered into a curve to the left. The driver failed to negotiate the curve, and the vehicle traveled off the roadway to the right. The Dodge Avenger traveled approximately 50 feet in the ditch and then impacted a sloped driveway. It then became airborne for approximately 40 feet and struck two tree limbs and continued in the air for another 70 feet before impacting the ground with its front end. The Dodge Avenger came to final rest upside down facing west. During the crash one of the passengers was partially ejected from the vehicle. The driver of the Dodge Avenger, Javier Gachuzo of Covington, LA, was not injured in the crash. Javier Gachuzo was charged and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on the following charges; Driving While Intoxicated (R.S.14:98), Vehicular Homicide (R.S.14:32.1), No Drivers License (R.S.32:52) and Careless Operation (R.S.32:58). The driver was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. Alcohol was a factor in the crash. Passenger one, Ricardo Rodriguez (O/M/Age 25) of Bush, LA, was transported to St. Tammany Hospital by Acadian Ambulance to be treated for moderate injuries. Passenger two, Salome Rodriguez (O/M/Age 65) of Bush, LA, was transported to St. Tammany Hospital by Acadian Ambulance to be treated for moderate injuries. Passenger three was pronounced dead at the scene by Angel Galloway of the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office, due to injuries sustained in the crash. Passenger three was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was partially ejected from the vehicle. Contact Information: Tfc. Louis Calato Public Information Officer Louisiana State Police - Troop L Office: (985)893-6250 Louis.Calato@dps.la.gov WWW.LSP.ORG | |||
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