| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8626 | 2012-07-25 | Troop L | Troopers investigate Early Morning Fatal Crash in Lacombe |
| TROOP L NEWS RELEASE July 25th, 2012 Troopers investigate Early Morning Fatal Crash in Lacombe St. Tammany Parish- Earlier this morning at 5:40 am, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a two vehicle fatal crash at the intersection of the Interstate 12 eastbound off ramp and LA 434 in Lacombe, LA. The crash took the life of 62 year old Covington resident Eulalio Hernandez. Troopers’ investigation revealed that the crash occurred as Hernandez exited I-12 eastbound in a 1996 Toyota Corolla and came to a stop at the stop sign at the end of the off ramp. After coming to a stop, Hernandez failed to yield to oncoming traffic and proceeded forward into the intersection directly into the path of a 2007 Ford Explorer traveling south on LA 434. The Toyota Corolla was then impacted on its left side by the front end of the Ford Explorer resulting in both vehicles coming to rest within the intersection. The driver of the Ford Explorer, 30 year old Christopher Blount of Lacombe, LA, was wearing a seatbelt and received no injuries in the crash. Hernandez was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was transported to University Medical Center in serious condition where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries. Alcohol and/or drug impairment is not suspected for either driver at this time pending a toxicology analysis. While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, Troopers urge motorists to remember fundamental traffic safety laws such as yielding at an intersection that when followed can help prevent motor vehicle crashes. While numerous factors including driver impairment and/or distraction often contribute to crashes, troopers often discover that simple traffic safety violations are the primary cause of the majority of motor vehicle crashes investigated each day. Driver attention and focus is especially critical during early morning hours when visibility is limited and driver fatigue is most common. The task of making our roadways safer requires a joint effort between law enforcement and the public through responsible behavior behind the wheel and the reporting of dangerous drivers to authorities. Motorists are urged to dial *LSP (*577) from a cellular phone to report possibly impaired, distracted, or dangerous drivers or other hazardous roadway conditions to the nearest Louisiana State Police office. Contact Information: TFC Nick Manale Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Unit Office: (985) 893-6250 Ext:628 Nicholas.Manale@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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