LAPLACE – Early this morning, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop B began investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash on Interstate 55 south which occurred at approximately 1:30 am. The crash took the life of 19-year-old Victor Gutierrez-Juarez of Baton Rouge.

The preliminary investigation revealed Juarez was traveling south on Interstate 55 near milepost #6 in a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. For reasons still under investigation, Juarez’s vehicle became disabled, facing west across the interstate in the right hand lane of travel. At the same time, a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling southbound on I-55 in the right hand lane. Juarez’s vehicle was struck on the passenger’s side by the Chevrolet Silverado. Juarez was not properly restrained and sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Impairment is unknown at this time and toxicology reports are pending. This crash remains under investigation and there is no further information available at this time.

Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants in a vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Simply making safe decisions while in motor vehicles such as never driving impaired and ensuring all occupants are properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.