Louisiana Man Dies in Morning Crash with 18-Wheeler on LA 35

Louisiana – Louisiana State Police Troop I responded to a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 35 near Mandy Road in St. Landry Parish shortly after 4:30 a.m. on June 11, 2022. Scotty J. Cormier, Jr., 23, of Church Point, was killed in the crash. Cormier was driving north on LA 35 in a 2009 Nissan Murano, according to preliminary investigation. At the same time, James Roy of Opelousas was backing a 2017 Freightliner 18-wheeler with a trailer into a private driveway on the east side of LA 35. The 18-wheeler had crossed the center line and was in the northbound lane when Cormier’s Nissan collided with the trailer’s left side.

Despite the use of restraints, Cormier sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The 18-wheeler driver was also properly restrained, and no injuries were reported. He displayed no signs of intoxication and provided a breath sample that revealed no alcohol was present. The crash is still being investigated, and charges are pending.

Louisiana State Troopers would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists to always make sound decisions when driving. Never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted, and always make sure all occupants are properly restrained. While not all car accidents are avoidable, simple precautions like these can often mean the difference between life and death.

Troop I has investigated 19 fatal crashes in 2022, resulting in 22 deaths.