By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LULING – A Thibodaux man died Monday evening atop the Hale Boggs Bridge on the northbound lanes when he was involved in a two-vehicle crash, according to Louisiana State Police.

The wreck occurred at about 7:03 p.m., when a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV, rented and driven by Rolando Gomez Jr., 27, of Houston, was in the right lane when he rear-ended a 1988 Buick Century.

The impact caused the Buick to spin clockwise and strike the right guard rail on the driver’s side, while it caused the Trailblazer to roll over on its right side.

Gomez was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the Trailblazer and was under the rolled vehicle when he was rescued, according to Chief Deputy Joseph Cardella of the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office, one of the first officers on the accident scene. Gomez was transported to Charity Hospital in critical condition. Alcohol use is suspected of Gomez, State Police said in a press release.

“It sounded like an explosion to people in the bridge park,” Cardella reported of the vehicles’ impact.

The driver of the Buick, reported to be from Thibodaux, died in the accident. His name was withheld as of press time, pending family notification.

Each vehicle had two passengers, all receiving moderate injuries. Further information was not available as of press time.

Charges are pending, to be determined by the crash investigation and toxicology results. Senior Trooper Richard Hamann is investigating the crash.