| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8505 | 2008-07-29 | Troop L | Hit and Run Fatal Crash on Interstate 55 in Tangipahoa Parish |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP L- NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Date: July 29, 2008 Hit and Run Fatal Crash on Interstate 55 in Tangipahoa Parish On Monday, July 28, 2008 at 6:20 PM, Louisiana State Police, Troop L investigated a two vehicle hit and run fatal crash on Interstate 55 at milepost 36.1 in Tangipahoa Parish. A 1998 Jeep, driven by Lawrence Riskas (W/M/Age 50) of Foster City, CA, was traveling south on Interstate 55 in the right lane. A 1992 Dodge van, driven by Thomas Hudson (W/M/Age 72) of Slidell, LA, was traveling directly in front of the Jeep. The jeep attempted to overtake the Dodge van, but while doing so the Jeep impacted the left rear bumper of the van. After impact, the Dodge van began to rotate clockwise and traveled off the roadway to the right. The van then traveled into and out of a ditch striking a retaining wall, overturning and ejecting the driver. The van traveled back into the ditch, upside down and came to a final rest. The Jeep traveled into the median and came to a stop. The driver then fled the scene of the crash and traveled south on Interstate 55. Several witnesses to the crash supplied Louisiana State Police Troop L with the description of the vehicle, driver and the license plate number of the vehicle. The subject and vehicle were later observed at the intersection of Puma and Wardline in Hammond. A traffic stop was performed on the vehicle and Lawrence Riskas was arrested without further incident. The driver of the 1992 Dodge van, Thomas Hudson of Slidell, LA, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Investigator Bruce Hostetter, due to injuries sustained in the crash. Alcohol usage for Thomas Hudson is not suspected; however, blood was obtained and will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. The passenger, Lucile Hudson (W/F/Age 64) of Slidell, LA, was transported to North Oaks Medical Center by Acadian Ambulance to receive medical treatment for moderate injuries. The driver of the 1998 Jeep, Lawrence Riskas of Foster City, CA, was not injured and fled the scene of the crash. He was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on the following charges; Hit and Run Driving (R.S. 14:100), Driving Under Suspension (R.S.32:415), Reckless Operation of a Vehicle (R.S.14:99), Driving While Intoxicated (R.S.14:98), Vehicular Homicide (R.S.14:32.1) and First Degree Vehicular Negligent Injuring (R.S.14:39.2). Alcohol was a factor in this crash. Drugs are also suspected for Lawrence Riskas; a urine sample was obtained and will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. For more information contact: TFC 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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