Impairment Suspected in Crash That Claimed the Life of One Unrestrained Louisiana Teen and Injured Another
Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana – Impairment is suspected in a crash that claimed the life of one unrestrained Louisiana teen and injured another.
On July 21, 2023, around midnight, Louisiana’s State Police Troop E answered a call regarding a single-vehicle crash on Bayou DeGlaise Road. The incident resulted in the tragic death of 18-year-old Thadeus Xavier Alejandro of Simmesport, Louisiana.
The preliminary inquiry showed that Joel Newsom, aged 18 from Simmesport, was driving a 2010 Dodge eastbound on Bayou DeGlaise Road. However, under circumstances that are still being examined, Newsom’s vehicle veered off the road, descended into a ditch, and collided with a tree.
Newsom, who was not restrained, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. Also unrestrained, Alejandro suffered life-threatening injuries and was declared dead at the crash site. Authorities indicated that intoxication is suspected to be a contributing factor in this crash. Standard toxicology samples were gathered for further examination. The investigation into this crash is still ongoing.
The Louisiana State Police wish to emphasize to all drivers that their driving changes if they feel differently. Substances like alcohol, prescription medication, and other drugs can have a detrimental impact on your driving abilities. They can hinder your vision, skew your perception of time and distance, weaken the precise motor skills required to control a vehicle and slow your reaction time. They urge drivers to think ahead and ensure a sober person is available to drive. Failure to do so can result in fatal outcomes.
Although it may not be possible to survive all crashes, wearing seat belts correctly can significantly reduce the likelihood of a fatality and potentially minimize the severity of injuries. Consistently making sure every passenger is adequately strapped in can frequently be the dividing line between survival and a fatal outcome.
In 2023, 32 deadly crashes were investigated by Troop E, leading to a total of 37 fatalities.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.