NewsCovering Louisiana

Actions

Mississippi man killed in I-10 West crash at Whiskey Bay

I-10 West at Whiskey Bay crash.PNG
Posted at 8:20 AM, Oct 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-21 15:55:06-04

Louisiana State Police have identified the driver killed Monday morning in a crash on I-10.

Troopers say that shortly before 7:30 am on October 21, 2019, they began investigating a single vehicle fatality crash on I-10 westbound at the Whiskey Bay exit in Iberville Parish. The crash took the life of 50-year-old John Cloninger of Pearl, Mississippi.

The initial investigation revealed that the crash occurred as Cloninger was driving a 2001 Peterbilt tractor trailer westbound on I-10. For reasons still under investigation, Cloninger ran off roadway to the right and struck a concrete bridge rail. After striking the railing, the Peterbilt fell to the ground underneath the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge.

Cloninger was unrestrained at the time of the crash and sustained fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Impairment is unknown at this time, but a toxicology sample was obtained from Cloninger for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office says the driver of the tractor trailer may have fallen asleep behind the wheel and accidentally driven off the bridge.