At approximately 3:30 p.m. on September 20th, 2023, there was a report of a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 near milepost 106 in Lafayette Parish. Louisiana State Police Troop I was immediately notified and dispatched to the scene.

Tragically, the crash resulted in the loss of 45-year-old Wayne Leroy Kales from Marietta, Georgia.

Following initial investigations, it was revealed that Kales was operating a 2023 International 18-wheeler traveling westbound on I-10. For reasons that are still under investigation, the 18-wheeler tractor-trailer veered off the roadway to the right, colliding with a nearby tree and catching fire.

At this time, Troopers cannot confirm if Kales was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office.

A toxicology sample was collected to aid in the investigation.

So far in 2023, LSP Troop I has investigated 34 fatal crashes resulting in 39 deaths.