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Raceland – On December 4, 2021, shortly after 8:00 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop C was notified of a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 182 at the intersection with U.S. Highway 90 just west of Raceland. The crash claimed the lives of two people whose names are being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

The preliminary investigation revealed 36-year-old Dionicio Gutierrez-Rios of Thibodaux was traveling west on LA Hwy 182 in a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. At the same time, a 2017 RAM 3500 was traveling east on LA Hwy 182 in the left lane. Gutierrez-Rios attempted to make a left turn onto the U.S. Hwy 90 West on-ramp, but failed to yield to oncoming traffic and was struck by the RAM.

Gutierrez-Rios was properly restrained at the time of the crash and suffered minor injuries. The Chevrolet’s three other passengers were not restrained. Two suffered fatal injuries while the third was transported with serious injuries. The RAM’s driver and two passengers were properly restrained at the time of the crash and suffered minor injuries.

A standard toxicology sample was collected from both drivers and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

While not all crashes are survivable, taking just 3 seconds to buckle up is the single most effective action motorists can do to reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash. Drivers should ensure they and their passengers are properly restrained in all seating positions, day or night.

Troop C has investigated 40 fatal crashes resulting in 55 deaths in 2021.