From Louisiana State Police – On May 5, 2021, shortly before 9:30 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a crash involving a single vehicle and a train at the crossing located at Bornsdall Road and US Hwy 190 in Jefferson Davis Parish. The crash claimed the life of 42-year-old Brandon Ortego of Elton.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2006 Jeep Rubicon, driven by Ortego, was stopped on the train tracks, facing northbound without any lights on. The Jeep was struck by a Union Pacific train.

Ortego was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene No other injuries were reported.

 

A toxicology sample was obtained and will be submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

 

Troopers want to take this time to remind motorists that trains can stop, but they can’t stop quickly. That is why it is so important to look and listen for trains when approaching a railroad crossing and to always yield the right of way to trains.

 

The Louisiana State Police is a staunch advocate of Operation Lifesaver, an international, non-profit education, and awareness program dedicated to ending tragic collisions, fatalities, and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroads’ rights of way. To request a free educational program for your group, please contact the nearest Louisiana State Police public information officer (contact information available www.LSP.org) More information is also available on the Louisiana Operation Lifesaver website at http://www.laoperationlifesaver.org.

Troop D has investigated 9 fatal crashes resulting in 9 deaths in 2021.