Louisiana Man Arrested for Negligent Homicide in Crash on I-10, Reckless Driving Suspected

Metairie, Louisiana – A Louisiana man has been arrested for negligent homicide in a crash on I-10 in Metairie, Louisiana. Authorities indicate that reckless driving is suspected.

Louisiana State Police (LSP) reported that on April 8, 2023, around 12:15 p.m., Troopers with Troop B began investigating a three-vehicle fatal crash on I-10 West near Causeway Boulevard in Metairie. Rodolfo Aldana, 82, of Metairie, Louisiana, was killed in the crash.

According to authorities, the initial inquiry found that Aldana was driving a 2014 Nissan Versa west on I-10 near Causeway Boulevard. At the same time, 20-year-old Keion Bardell, Jr. of Kenner, Louisiana was driving a 2007 Toyota Camry recklessly in the same vicinity as Aldana. The Toyota Camry collided with the Nissan Versa as it was changing lanes, forcing it to proceed to the left and collide with the cement barrier wall.

The Nissan Versa then traveled back to the right and collided with a 2019 Toyota Corolla. Following the initial contact, the Toyota Camry proceeded to the left and collided with the cement barrier wall before rolling over.

Aldana, who was unrestrained, sustained life-threatening injuries and was sent to a nearby hospital, where he died. Bardell was securely restrained, sustained minor injuries, and was transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment. The driver of the Toyota Corolla was also securely restrained and was not hurt in the incident.

As a consequence of the investigation, Keion Bardell, Jr. was arrested for Negligent Homicide, Reckless Operation, and No Insurance and booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

According to the Louisiana State Police, the leading causes of fatal crashes are speeding, impairment, and a lack of seatbelt use. Troopers encourage the public to make a plan to prevent driving while inebriated. Speeding diminishes a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or obstructions in the road, increases the distance required to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a situation. Troopers would like to remind motorists of the significance of making safe decisions behind the wheel. While not all incidents are avoidable, wearing a seatbelt significantly reduces the odds of being killed or badly injured in a crash.

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