Calcasieu Parish - A fatal crash occurred on October 27, 2023, around 11:45 a.m., when an 18-wheeler collided with a Hyundai Sonata on Interstate 10 in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The driver of the Hyundai, Adrienne Chivonne Manuel, aged 30 and from Iowa, Louisiana, tragically lost her life in the crash.
According to the initial investigation by Louisiana State Police Troop D, Manuel's vehicle was stopped for unknown reasons in the middle lane of travel on I-10. Meanwhile, a Kenworth 18-wheeler was traveling behind another truck and approaching the stationary Hyundai. The first truck managed to change lanes and avoid hitting the Hyundai. However, despite attempting evasive actions by steering left, the driver of the Kenworth was unable to avoid colliding with the rear of Manuel's vehicle. As a result of the impact, the Hyundai veered off the right-hand side of the road. Despite being properly restrained at the time of the accident, Manuel sustained severe injuries and was transported to a hospital in Lake Charles where she later passed away.
The driver of the 18-wheeler involved in this tragic incident remained uninjured and properly restrained throughout. Authorities have obtained a toxicology sample from Manuel for analysis as part of their ongoing investigation into this crash.
In total, Troop D has investigated 29 fatal crashes resulting in 32 deaths so far this year.
