By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

NORCO – A Houma man was killed Wednesday night in St. Charles Parish after he lost control of his vehicle on Airline Highway and struck a guardrail on the side of the road, according to a spokesperson from State Police.

The single vehicle crash happened at about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday on northbound Airline Highway near prospect Avenue (LA 627) in Norco, said Trooper Melissa Matey of State Police Troop B.

Matey said preliminary investigation revealed that Ryan Murtha, 24, of Houma was driving a 2004 Nissan 350-Z northbound on Airline Highway in the right lane at a high rate of speed when he attempted an evasive maneuver into the left lane to avoid a vehicle in the right lane. Murtha lost control of the Nissan, struck the raised median and traveled about 500 feet.

Matey said Murtha overcorrected after hitting the median and his vehicle began to rotate and travel off the road to the right side, crashing into a metal guardrail, which penetrated the driver’s side door. Murtha was pronounced dead on the scene, Matey said.

Driver impairment is unknown and toxicology results are pending an autopsy. Matey said Murtha was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and speed is a factor in the accident, which remains under investigation.

“National statistics show that speeding is a factor in one-third of all fatal crashes, Matey said. “Speed limits are implemented in the best interest of public safety, and numerous factors are taken into consideration when deciding on a speed limit. Troopers witness firsthand the devastating effects in motor vehicle crashes caused by speeding. Please be a responsible driver, obey speed limits, drive sober, buckle up and avoid distractions.”