State Police have released details in the crash that left I-10 closed for some time east of Jennings.
The crash occurred shortly before 11:00 a.m. on July 6, 2021 on Interstate 10 near mile marker 69 about four miles east of Jennings in Acadia Parish. The crash claimed the life of the driver whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The initial investigation revealed the crash occurred as the driver of a 2009 Dodge Ram pickup was traveling East on I-10. As the driver of the Ram approached stopped traffic, due to a single-vehicle crash near mile marker 70, he sideswiped a stopped 18-wheeler. After the initial impact with the 18-wheeler, he then rear-ended a Ford F150.
Despite being properly restrained, the driver of the Ram sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the 18-wheeler was properly restrained and was not injured. The driver of the F150 and his occupants were all properly restrained and were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Although impairment is not suspected, Toxicology results are pending on all drivers. This crash remains under investigation.
"The difficult assignment of death notification continues to be one of the hardest elements of the Law Enforcement profession. Notification is even more difficult when Troopers know that the outcome was preventable. Please take a moment to put the safety of you and your loved ones ahead of everything else," troopers say. "Aside from sound decisions behind the wheel, speak to your family and friends about the consequences of impaired driving. Remind them that putting on a seatbelt greatly reduces the chances of being killed or seriously injured in a crash. Speak to them about the dangers of distracted driving. The conversation you have today could be the difference tomorrow."
Troop I has investigated 31 fatal crashes resulting in 39 deaths in 2021.
The Interstate was reopened at about 2:13 p.m.
The roadway was closed earlier in the day between Jennings and Egan after the crash.
This incident is separate from the fatal crash that occurred earlier in the day on I-10 West near Duson. Two people were killed in that crash. The roadway still remains closed in the area.
Read more on that crash,here.
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