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Bridge City – On April 23, 2022, shortly after 1:00 am, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop B began investigating a single-vehicle crash on US 90 near Circle West Drive. The crash ultimately claimed the life of 51-year-old Fredrick Eric Walter of Bridge City. 

 The initial investigation revealed that Walter was driving a 2016 Honda Accord west on US 90 in the city limits of Westwego. An Officer from the Westwego Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the Honda. During the stop, Walter drove away, initiating a pursuit. Walter continued west on US 90 at a high rate of speed. As he approached the area of Circle West Drive, Walter lost control of the vehicle and traveled off the right side of the roadway before flipping several times.

 Walter, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, was ejected and suffered fatal injuries. The front seat passenger was restrained and suffered minor injuries.

Impairment on the part of Walter is suspected and routine toxicology results are pending.

Speeding, impairment and lack of seatbelt use continue to be the leading causes of fatal crashes. Troopers encourage the public to have a plan in place to avoid driving impaired. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a situation. Troopers would like to remind motorists of the importance of safe decisions behind the wheel. While not all crashes are survivable, wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces the chances of being killed or seriously injured in a crash.