Impaired Louisiana Driver Arrested After Fatal Christmas Day Crash on LA 308 Claimed the Life of a Passenger

Lafourche Parish, Louisiana – The Louisiana State Police stated on December 26, 2022, that on December 25, 2022, soon after 8:00 p.m., Troopers of LSP Troop C responded to a fatal single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 308 near Marcello Boulevard. A passenger whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin perished in the collision.

The preliminary investigation found that a 2011 Mazda 3 driven by Francisco Lopez-Mendoza, 49, of Raceland, Louisiana was traveling southbound on LA Hwy 308. During a left turn, the Mazda went off the road to the right and struck a utility pole before flipping over.

The Mazda passenger sustained catastrophic injuries and died at the scene, despite being fully restrained. Lopez-Mendoza was restrained appropriately, sustained moderate injuries, and was brought to a hospital in the New Orleans region for treatment.

According to authorities, Lopez-Mendoza was impaired at the time of the crash and he was arrested for Driving While Impaired, Vehicular Homicide, Careless Operation, and Driver Must Be Licensed while he was at the hospital. A toxicological specimen was obtained from Lopez-Mendoza and submitted for analysis. The inquiry into this crash continues.

Nearly fifty percent of fatal crashes in Louisiana are caused by drivers who are inebriated. Alcohol and other substances impair a person's visual acuity, fine motor skills, and reaction speed. Drivers should have a plan for a safe ride home before drinking alcohol or drugs since if they feel different, they drive differently.

So far in 2022, LSP Troop C has examined 47 fatal collisions that resulted in 51 fatalities.