3 Unrestrained Occupants Ejected, One Killed After Running Off of LA 441 and Crashing into a Tree

Livingston Parish, Louisiana – Three unrestrained occupants were ejected, and one was killed after running off of LA 441 and crashing into a tree.

Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A initiated an investigation into a single-vehicle crash that occurred on LA 441, north of Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish on July 18, 2023, just before 8:00 p.m. The crash tragically led to the death of James Ard, a 22-year-old from Holden, Louisiana.

The primary inquiry indicated that a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle was traveling northward on LA 441. For unknown reasons currently under investigation, the Beetle’s driver wasn’t able to successfully take a left curve, leading the car off the road and into a tree. The collision resulted in everyone inside the car being thrown out of the vehicle.

Ard, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt during the crash, died on the spot due to his injuries. The other two victims, who also weren’t wearing seat belts, were severely injured and were rushed to nearby hospitals. At the time this was published, LSP indicated that it was unknown which occupant was driving. A toxicology sample was taken from Ard for chemical analysis. The crash is still under investigation.

Although it’s not possible to survive every crash, data shows that correctly used safety restraints can drastically lower your likelihood of getting hurt or losing your life in an accident. The law in Louisiana mandates that every passenger in a car, regardless of where they are seated, must always have their seatbelts on. Correctly using your seat belt is one of the most efficient methods to protect your life and minimize injuries in the event of a crash.