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Lake Charles Man Succumbs to Injuries Sustained in December 7 Crash

Published December 8, 2021

Lake Charles, LA – Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a two-vehicle, serious injury crash on Interstate 10 just west of LA Hwy 397 (Exit 36) in Calcasieu Parish on December 7, 2021, shortly after 12:00 p.m. Charles Litel, a 22-year-old Lake Charles resident, was killed in the crash.

The initial inquiry found that Litel was driving a 2017 Toyota Tacoma west on I-10 in the middle lane. At the same time, a driver in a 2015 Lexus IS250 Sedan was exiting the LA 397 on-ramp onto I-10 west. For unclear circumstances, the Toyota veered to the right and collided with the Lexus’s left front quarter panel. The Toyota spun clockwise and exited the road to the right after the collision. After leaving the road, the Toyota collided with a number of trees before coming to a halt. On the right side shoulder of the road, the Lexus driver was able to come to a controlled halt. Litel, who was restrained appropriately, suffered life-threatening injuries and was sent to a local hospital for treatment. Troop D received word later that evening that Litel had died as a result of his injuries. The Lexus driver was securely restrained and did not sustain any injuries. Although no impairment is suspected, toxicological samples were collected and sent for investigation. The cause of the accident is still being investigated.

Troop D has investigated 32 fatal crashes resulting in 33 deaths in 2021.