Eunice Man Dies in Weekend Crash
26-year-old Eduardo Lopez of Eunice is dead after a crash Sunday night on LA Highway 1161 near Bush Street in Evangeline Parish.
Louisiana State Police spokesman Trooper Thomas Gossen says Lopez was a passenger in the vehicle that overturned after running off a curve. Lopez and the driver, 21-year-old Kinsey Lopez, were both ejected after not being properly restrained, according to the press release from State Police.
Eduardo Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene; Kinsey Lopez is in a local hospital with serious injuries.
The investigation continues as a toxicology sample taken from Kinsey Lopez is being analyzed. Charges are pending.
Trooper Gossen sends this sobering message on behalf of State Police:
Death notification continues to be one of the hardest elements of the Law Enforcement profession. Notification is even more difficult when Troopers know that the outcome was preventable. Please take a moment to put the safety of you and your loved ones ahead of everything else. Aside from sound decisions behind the wheel, speak to your family and friends about putting on a seatbelt, which greatly reduces the chances of being killed or seriously injured in a crash. Speak to them about the dangers of distracted driving and impaired driving. The conversation you have today could be the difference tomorrow.
In 2020, State Police have investigated 51 fatal crashes resulting in 56 deaths in Troop I.