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Franklinton – Shortly before 2:00 p.m. on September 24, 2021, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a three vehicle fatality crash on LA Hwy 25 south of LA Hwy 16 in Washington Parish. The crash claimed the life of 63-year-old Connie Rodriguez of Franklinton.

The initial investigation revealed the crash occurred as Rodriguez was traveling northbound on LA Hwy 25 in a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe. At the same time, a 2020 Freightliner utility truck and a 2018 Freightliner utility truck were traveling southbound on LA Hwy 25. For reasons still under investigation, Rodriguez crossed the centerline into the opposing lane, which resulted in the Chevrolet side-swiping the 2020 Freightliner and subsequently striking the 2018 Freightliner head-on.

Restraint use on the part of Rodriguez is unknown at this time. The drivers of the Freightliners were properly restrained and sustained minor injuries. As part of the ongoing investigation, toxicology samples were obtained from all three drivers for analysis.

The assignment of death notification continues to be one of the hardest elements of the Law Enforcement profession. Notification is even more difficult when Troopers know that the outcome was preventable.  Please take a moment to put the safety of you and your loved ones ahead of everything else.  Aside from sound decisions behind the wheel, speak to your family and friends about the consequences of impaired driving.   Remind them that putting on a seatbelt greatly reduces the chances of being killed or seriously injured in a crash.  Speak to them about the dangers of distracted driving.  The conversation you have today could be the difference tomorrow.