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Livingston – Shortly before 4:00 pm on August 28^th, 2021, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle on US Hwy 190 west of LA Hwy 63 in Livingston Parish. The crash took the life of 50-year-old James Weatherford of Livingston.

The initial investigation revealed the crash occurred as 21-year-old Cierra Bennett of Albany was traveling westbound on US Hwy 190 in a 2015 Nissan Sentra. At the same time, Weatherford was traveling westbound on US Hwy 190 on a 2001 Harley Davidson, in front of Bennett. For reasons still under investigation, as Weatherford slowed to conduct a turn, Bennett failed to stop and struck the rear of the Harley Davidson.

Despite the fact he was wearing a DOT approved helmet, Weatherford sustained fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased on the scene. Bennett was properly restrained and sustained minor injuries. As part of the ongoing investigation, toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers for analysis.

Motorists should always obey posted speed limits due to the fact that traveling at a high rate of speed decreases the amount of a time a driver has to react in an emergency situation. Furthermore, while not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and obeying all traffic laws can often mean the difference between life and death.