Dubach – On July 28, 2021, shortly before 9 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Forsythe Road, east of U.S. Hwy 167. This crash claimed the life of the unrestrained driver, who was fleeing from law enforcement and is suspected of being impaired.

The initial investigation revealed a 2000 Dodge Ram, driven by 20-year-old Tyler Brazzel, of Bernice, was being pursued by Bernice Police Department for a traffic violation. Brazzel was traveling south on U.S. Hwy 167, at a high rate of speed, before making a turn onto Forsythe Road. For reasons still under investigation, he lost control of the vehicle, and it began to roll over.

Brazzel was ejected and pronounced dead on the scene. A passenger inside the vehicle, who was properly restrained, was not injured.

This crash remains under investigation. Toxicology samples were obtained and will be submitted for analysis.

Buckling up is the most effective way to protect yourself during a vehicle crash. Failure to take a few seconds to buckle up can have devastating consequences. Louisiana law requires every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, to be properly restrained day or night.

In 2021, Troop F has investigated 31 fatal crashes resulting in 38 deaths.