| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8692 | 2010-08-14 | Troop L | Alcohol Use suspected in I-55 Fatality |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP L NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release August 14, 2010 Alcohol Use suspected in I-55 Fatality Tangipahoa Parish – Yesterday at 9:00 pm, Louisiana State Police Troop L investigated a two vehicle fatality crash on the Interstate 55 high rise bridge south of Manchac at milepost #14.8 in Tangipahoa Parish. A 1998 Toyota pickup truck, driven by Robert Olah (W/M age 50) of Albany, LA, was traveling northbound on Interstate 55 in the right lane of travel. Traveling directly ahead of the Toyota was a 1996 Chevrolet 4 door sedan, driven by Harvey Leblanc (W/M age 57) of Ponchatoula, LA. As both vehicles proceeded northbound on the I-55 high rise, the Toyota pickup accelerated forward rear ending the Chevrolet in the right lane. After impact, the Toyota then struck the right guard rail causing it to overturn and eject the driver onto the right northbound lane of Interstate 55. Shortly after the initial crash, the Toyota pickup truck was impacted by a 1991 Chevrolet Blazer as it obstructed the northbound lanes of Interstate 55. The driver of the Chevrolet Blazer, Shane Sarkozy (W/M age 39) of Ponchatoula, LA, and a 15 year old juvenile passenger received minor injuries in the crash and were transported to North Oaks Medical Center. Olah was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was ejected from the Toyota pickup truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office. Alcohol use is suspected by Olah with a blood sample pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Leblanc was not injured and was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He submitted to a breath alcohol test registering a .000g% BAC. Contact Information: TFC Nick Manale Public Affairs Unit Troop L Louisiana State Police Office: (985) 893-6250 Nicholas.Manale@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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