Deputy in fatal accident not wearing seatbelt

Posted: Jan 18, 2012 5:43 PM by Tonya LaCoste
Updated: Jan 18, 2012 5:43 PM

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's deputy, who died in a head-on crash, was not wearing a seat belt, according to State Trooper Sgt. James Anderson. Randall L. Benoit, 41, died at a hospital after the driver of a Ford Focus crossed the center line on LA 1256 and hit Benoit's cruiser head-on. Benoit was on duty at the time of the crash. Charles W. Harrell, 28, of Carlyss was driving the Focus.

State Police were called to the four-vehicle crash around 7:54 this morning. After the initial crash, the driver of a Dodge Stratus, 44-year-old Michelle M. LeBlanc of Sulphur rear-ended the deputy's vehicle, Anderson said. LeBlanc's vehicle hit the driver of a pick-up truck, 42-year-old Cody Goodner of Sulphur.

Harrell, who was not wearing a seat belt has serious injuries and is in critical condition at an area hospital. "He will be cited for driving left of center and no seat belt," Anderson said. LeBlanc and Goodner were both wearing a seat belt. Each had only minor injuries. According to Anderson, "Routine toxicology samples were obtained from the drivers and will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis." The crash remains under investigation and additional charges are possible.

In 2010, 59 percent of vehicle occupants who died in car crashes were not wearing a seat belt. Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing motorists can do to protect themselves in a crash. "Buckle up Louisiana. Every trip. Every time," Anderson said.

This is the sixth fatal crash investigated by Troop D in 2012.