| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 854 | 2008-05-31 | Troop A | Crashes Wreak Havoc on Saturday's Travels |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP A- NEWS RELEASE Crashes Wreak Havoc on Saturday’s Travels At 7:20 AM, on Saturday, May 31, 2008, Louisiana State Police – Troop A investigated the first of three crashes that would cause major delays on area highways around the Greater Baton Rouge area. The first crash occurred on Interstate 12 (I-12) east of the Livingston exit. An empty 2007 Volvo tractor-trailer traveled eastbound on I-12, exited the road and crashed into the guardrail. After striking the guardrail, the Volvo crashed into several trees beyond the shoulder. Troopers called Trading Post Heavy-Duty Wreckers to remove the vehicle from the woods. The wreckers used a portion of I-12 to provide a stable foundation and allow for the safe retrieval of the Volvo. Throughout the removal process, Troopers opened the left eastbound lane intermittently to allow traffic to pass as the extraction process lasted until 1:00 PM. Acadian Ambulance transported the driver of the Volvo, Charles D. Bankston (Male/Age 37) of Hammond, LA, to North Oaks Hospital with moderate injuries. Troopers charged Mr. Bankston with Careless Operation. The second crash occurred on Interstate 10 (I-10) east of LA Hwy 42 in Ascension Parish. The crash involved a Black Van traveling eastbound on I-10, which stopped to avoid crashing into a vehicle that slowed down ahead. The driver of the Van applied her brakes, lost control, overcorrected, slid across I-10, flipped several times, ejected a passenger and came to rest in the trees to the right of the interstate. Acadian Ambulance transported the driver of the Van, Melanie Clary (Female/Age 20) of Gonzales, LA, to Baton Rouge General (Bluebonnet) with moderate injuries. Acadian Ambulance transported the passenger, Devin Gregoire (Male/Age 23) of Gonzales, LA, to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital with serious injuries. There were no charges applied in this crash. The third crash took place on LA Hwy 1026 south of US Hwy 190 in Livingston Parish. A 2007 Chevrolet Sierra traveled north on LA Hwy 1026, exited the road to the left, entered a ditch, hit a culvert and flipped several times. At the same time, a Ford Pickup truck followed a 2005 Harley Davidson traveling south on LA Hwy 1026. After observing the Chevrolet cross the median, the Ford came to a complete stop. The Harley Davidson swerved to the right to avoid hitting the Ford, but struck the right side of the Ford. The contact ejected driver of the Harley Davidson and he slid across the pavement into the ditch. The driver of the Harley Davidson, Joseph Windham (Male/Age 50) of Denham Springs, LA, sustained serious injuries and Acadian Ambulance transported him to Baton Rouge General (Bluebonnet). Troopers issued Mr. Windham a citation for Following Too Close. The driver of the Ford Pickup truck, Kenneth Beard (Male/Age 38) of Denham Springs, LA, did not sustain injury and did not require medical attention at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet Sierra, Francisco Ramirez (Male/57) of Walker, LA, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Ochsner Hospital by Acadian Ambulance. Upon Mr. Ramirez’s release from the hospital, he was booked into the Livingston Parish Jail and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (4th Offense), Careless Operation, No Driver’s License on Person and Failure to Change Address. For more information contact: S/T Johnnie L. Brown, Jr. Public Affairs Unit Louisiana State Police – Troop A Office: (225) 754-8524 johnnie.brown@dps.la.gov www.lsp.org | |||
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