Louisiana Fatal Crash Claims Life After Truck Slams into Tree

Just before midnight on Saturday, December 21, Louisiana lost another person to a fatal crash, according to Louisiana State Police, who are investigating the crash.

According to Trooper Shelby Mayfiled of the Public Affairs Section of State Police, 57-year-old Rochard Creel was driving westbound on Louisiana Highway 42, which Mayfiled says is west of Hornsby Road.

The preliminary investigation indicates Creel drove off the roadway, but officials say they continue their investigation to figure out why he left. Trooper Mayfield says Creel missed the left curve in the roadway, and when the vehicle went off, the truck hit a tree.

Mayfield impairment is not suspected on Mayfield's part, but they did take samples because they have the samples analyzed in these types of cases. Creel was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Unfortunately, due to the injuries he received when the crash happened, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

As we are headed into the holiday season, Louisiana State Police are hoping drivers will heed their advice, which is as follows:

• Never get behind the wheel if you are impaired by alcohol or any substance
• If you are tired, do not get on the roadways
• While you are driving, make that your number one priority, and don't let anything distract you
• Traffic laws are in place for the safety of everyone, so please follow all laws
• Anyone in a vehicle needs to be wearing a seat belt and make sure any children are in their appropriate car seats

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