| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8754 | 2011-04-14 | Troop L | Two killed in Separate Fatal Crashes |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP L NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release April 14th, 2011 Two killed in Separate Fatal Crashes Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L investigated two separate fatality crashes today leaving two dead in Washington and St. Tammany Parish. The first crash occurred at 6:25 am on LA 438 approximately one mile west of the city limits of Angie in Washington Parish. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 1997 Saturn, driven by Brenda DaQuin (W/F age 41) of Angie, LA, was traveling eastbound in the westbound lane of La 438 when it collided head-on with a 1990 Chevrolet pickup truck traveling west. DaQuin was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Washington Parish Coroner’s Office. Drug impairment is suspected with the results of a toxicology exam pending at the Coroner’s Office. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup, Fred Thomas (B/M age 55) of Angie, LA, was wearing a seatbelt and received minor injuries in the crash. Neither alcohol nor drug use is suspected for Thomas with a blood sample pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. The second crash occurred at 11:20 am on Interstate 10 eastbound approximately half a mile east of the LA 433 / Old Spanish Trail exit in St. Tammany Parish. Troopers’ investigation revealed that a 1994 Freightliner 18 wheeler, driven by Eric Bickman (B/M age 43) of Franklinton, LA, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 when it experienced a mechanical failure and became disabled in the center lane of travel. As the 18 wheeler remained disabled in the center eastbound lane, Bickman exited the truck and began to inspect his vehicle when he was struck by a 2009 Ford Taurus traveling east in the left lane. At the time of the crash, the 18 wheeler did not have its hazard lights activated nor were warning devices placed in the roadway. Bickman was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. The driver of the Taurus, Joshua Hartsell (W/M age 20) of Slidell, LA, 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. Troopers are continuing their investigation into both crashes. 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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