Calcasieu Parish – On July 30, 2021, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 about 1 ½ miles east of LA Hwy 397 in Calcasieu Parish. The crash claimed the life of the driver whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The initial investigation revealed the driver of the BMW was traveling west on I-10 in the outside lane at a much lower rate of speed than the flow of traffic. The driver of a 2012 Freightliner 18-wheeler was also traveling west in the outside lane on I-10 while following several other vehicles and approaching the slower moving BMW. The drivers of the other vehicles were able to take evasive actions and maneuver around the BMW. The driver of the 18-wheeler was unable to avoid the BMW and struck the rear of it causing both vehicles to run off the roadway to the right. Upon exiting the roadway, both vehicles struck several small trees before coming to rest.

The driver of the BMW sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger in the BMW sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a Lafayette area hospital by Acadian Air Med. Seat belt usage on the part of the driver and the passenger in the BMW is unknown due to the severity of the crash. The driver of the 18-wheeler sustained moderate injuries. Toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Troop D has investigated 22 fatal crashes resulting in 22 deaths in 2021.