Louisiana Officials Investigate Single-Vehicle Crash that Claims a Life

(KPEL-FM) - Louisiana State Police officials were called out to investigate a deadly single-vehicle crash in which a truck ended up driving off the side of the roadway.

What Do State Police Investigators Know About The Crash?

At this time, investigators with Louisiana State Police have conducted their preliminary investigation, and they do believe impairment was a factor in the crash.

According to Trooper First Class Jacob Pucheu with the Public Affairs Section of State Police, the driver of the truck was a 49-year-old who lost their life.

Pucheu says they have determined that Rene Davis was driving eastbound on Louisiana Highway 18 when, for some reason, the truck ran off the roadway on the right side.

What Other Details Are Known?

Officials say when Davis' truck went onto the side of the roadway, they immediately believed that Davis overcorrected the steering wheel, leading the victim to lose control of the truck.

The truck then crossed the roadway and ended up on the left side of the highway, and it slammed into two large pipes. The victim was not wearing a seat belt.

Pucheu says the victim's injuries were very severe, and they were pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner's office.

What Followed After The Crash?

Investigators do believe that impairment was a factor in this fatal crash.

They do not yet know why Davis' truck ran off the road, but they will continue investigating that.

Routine toxicology samples were taken from Davis, and those will be analyzed at a lab.

What Do Troopers Want Drivers To Remember?

• Drivers are asked to make responsible choices when getting behind the wheel.
• If any substance impairs you, whether it's alcohol, drugs, or even prescribed medications, do not drive.
• Drugs and alcohol can impact your reaction time, judgment, and coordination. If you feel different, you will drive differently.
• Obey all traffic laws so that all drivers on roadways are safe.

The crash happened around 7 p.m. on the evening of Sunday, March 30. The truck crashed on Louisiana Highway 18 near Avondale Garden Road. The investigation into the Jefferson Parish crash is ongoing.

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