| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8605 | 2011-06-24 | Troop L | Overnight Crash results in Two Deaths on Interstate 12 |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP L NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release June 24th, 2011 Overnight Crash results in Two Deaths on Interstate 12 Mandeville, LA – Early this morning at 1:10 am, Louisiana State Police Troop L investigated a fatal crash on Interstate 12 approximately 3 miles east of the Abita Springs exit in St. Tammany Parish. Troopers’ investigation revealed that the crash occurred as a 2006 Freightliner 18 wheeler, driven by Anthony Hernandez (W/M age 34) of New Braunfels, TX, was traveling west in the left lane of Interstate 12 after passing a vehicle on its right. As Hernandez attempted to reenter the right lane of I-12 westbound, he failed to observe a 2003 Ford Explorer traveling directly ahead of him causing the 18-wheeler to rear end the Ford SUV in the right lane. Upon impact, the Explorer, driven by Desiree Hudson (W/F age 35) of Robert, LA, began to rotate clockwise and ran off road to the right striking several trees on the north side of the interstate. Both Hudson and front seat passenger, Colleen Randall (W/F age 54) of Covington, LA, sustained fatal injuries in the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Seatbelts were used by both women and alcohol use is not suspected. Hernandez was wearing a seatbelt and received no injuries in the crash. He submitted to a breath alcohol test showing no detectable signs of alcohol in his system. Hernandez was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail charged with Careless Operation and two counts of Negligent Homicide. While the dangers of impaired driving and other aggressive driving behaviors are well documented, driver distraction is quickly becoming one of the largest contributing factors in motor vehicle crashes across the country. Distracted driving is any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009, 5,474 people were killed and an estimated additional 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved distracted driving. While distracted driving comes in many forms, from texting and talking on a cell phone, to eating, or simply playing with a radio, the result is often the same. Troopers urge the public to remain vigilant while driving and avoid distracting activities, especially the temptations of electronic devices that can substantially divert a driver’s attention away from the road. To report distracted drivers or other hazardous road conditions, citizens may dial *LSP (*577) from your cellular phone to reach the State Police office closest to you. Contact Information: TFC Nick Manale Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Unit Troop L Office: (985) 893-6250 Ext:628 Nicholas.Manale@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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