Impaired Driver Arrested in Louisiana After Head-On Crash Kills One and Injures Another on US 61

Louisiana – On October 12, 2022, Troopers of Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 61 near Jackson Avenue in LaPlace shortly after 5:00 p.m. Earl Eschete, 71, of Raceland, Louisiana, died as a result of this crash.

Eschete was driving a 2000 Ford F-150 south on US 61 near Jackson Avenue, according to the preliminary inquiry. Gasper Orduna, 23, of Alvin, Texas, was driving a 2019 Ford F-250 north on US 61 near Jackson Avenue at the same moment. The F-250 crossed the center line, entered the southbound lane, and collided head-on with the F-150 for unknown reasons.
Eschete sustained life-threatening injuries and was sent to a nearby hospital, where he died. A passenger in Eschete’s vehicle had minor injuries and was sent to a nearby hospital for treatment. Orduna and a passenger in his car were unharmed. At this moment, the utilization of seatbelts for all occupants is unknown.

During the on-scene inquiry, Orduna demonstrated signs of intoxication and supplied a breath sample that revealed a Blood Alcohol Concentration that was higher than the legal limit. Orduna was arrested and booked into the St. John Parish Jail for Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Negligent Injuring, DWI (1st Offense), Reckless Operation, and Driving the Wrong Way on Divided Highways.

The Louisiana State Police want to remind everyone that if you feel differently, you drive differently. Alcohol, prescription medications, and other drugs have a variety of side effects on the body that impair driving abilities. These medicines can impair visual capacity, distort one’s sense of time and space, impair fine motor abilities required to drive a car, and shorten reaction times. Drivers are recommended to plan ahead of time and choose a sober driver. Failure to do so can have fatal repercussions.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.