Gilbert, Louisiana - A Louisiana man was killed in a crash involving a UTV and truck on LA 128 in Franklin Parish.

Louisiana State Police Troop F began an investigation into a fatal two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 128 near Lishman Road on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, just before 11:00 a.m. The crash resulted in the death of 76-year-old James Lachney from Gilbert, Louisiana.

The initial investigation showed that a Kawasaki Mule, operated by Lachney, was heading north across a private piece of land. Concurrently, a 2023 GMC Sierra was driving east on Louisiana Highway 128. For reasons yet to be established, the UTV did not stop but proceeded north into LA Highway 128. Consequently, the UTV ended up in the GMC’s path of travel and was hit.

Lachney, who wasn't properly restrained according to LSP, was thrown out of the UTV and declared dead on the spot. The person driving the GMC was wearing a seatbelt and sustained only minor injuries.

Despite there being no suspicion of impairment, standard toxicology samples were gathered and will be sent for examination. This collision is still under active investigation.

Louisiana State Police wishes to inform the public that it is not legal to drive All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) on the roads unless it is directly related to farming or other duties mentioned in the Louisiana Revised Statue 32:299. The specific law can be accessed at this link: https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=88237. The use of appropriate safety gear, like seatbelts and helmets can notably reduce the danger of severe injuries or fatality.

So far in 2023, 25 deadly crashes were examined by Troop F, leading to a total of 28 fatalities.