St. Landry Parish – Shortly before 6:30 a.m. on July 7, 2022, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I were notified of a single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 686 near Lynn Robin Road in St. Landry Parish. The crash took the life of 42-year-old Franklin Joseph Martin of Arnaudville.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Martin was driving a 2017 Toyota Corolla west on LA 686. For reasons still under investigation, the Corolla ran off the roadway to the right, struck an embankment and a culvert, then came to rest partially submerged.

Martin was not properly restrained at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Landry Parish Coroner’s Office. A toxicology sample was obtained for analysis and this crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Troopers would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists the difference between good outcomes and fatal outcomes on Louisiana roadways begins and ends with good decisions. The most impactful of those good decisions begins with an “always” mindset: always designate a sober driver, always focus on the task of driving, and always wear a seat belt regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death.

Troop I has investigated 23 fatal crashes resulting in 26 deaths in 2022.