Louisiana Man Loses His Life in Devastating One-Vehicle Crash

Officials with Louisiana State Police say they investigated a one-vehicle crash that ended with a man losing his life after his truck caught fire.

According to Trooper Eddie Thomas with the Public Affairs Section of Louisiana State Police, the crash happened as the 62-year-old victim was driving down Louisiana Highway 518.

Thomas says the victim, Leonard Melton, was driving down the highway in the eastbound direction when for some reason his truck went off of the roadway.

Melton's truck hit an embankment, overturned, and crashed. After the crash, a fire started in the truck, engulfing it in flames.

Thomas says officials are still investigating to figure out all of the circumstances that led to this crash. They do not know whether or not the man was buckled up when the crash happened, but his injuries were severe. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner's office.

According to officials, impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this crash, but routine toxicology samples were taken for analysis by a lab.

Louisiana State Police officials want to remind all drivers about the following:

• Make sure you never allow anything to distract you while driving.
• Everyone in a vehicle needs to be wearing a seat belt.
• Every driver must obey all traffic laws.
• Make sure not to let any substance impair your driving.

The crash happened around 4:45 Monday morning. Thomas says the crash remains under investigation.

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