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Independence – Saturday afternoon, shortly before 3:00 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a single vehicle fatal crash on LA Hwy 442 near River Ridge Drive in Tangipahoa Parish. The crash claimed the life of 32-year-old Matthew Bonomo of St. Bernard.

The initial investigation revealed the crash occurred as Bonomo was westbound on LA Hwy 442 in a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet traveled off of the roadway. After leaving the roadway, the Chevrolet traveled through a ditch before striking a tree.

Bonomo was unrestrained and sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Bonomo was pronounced deceased on the scene. As part of the ongoing investigation, a toxicology sample was obtained from the driver for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that properly wearing your seat belt will dramatically reduce your chance of being injured or killed in a crash. Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Properly wearing your seat belt is one of the most effective ways to save your life and reduce injuries in crashes.