Louisiana Man Killed in Morning Crash on US 71 After Colliding with Tree that Fell Across the Roadway

Bossier Parish, Louisiana – A man from Louisiana was killed in a morning crash on US 71 after his vehicle collided with a tree that had fallen across the roadway.

On May 19, 2023, Louisiana State Police (LSP) stated that Troopers assigned to Troop G began investigating a single-vehicle fatality crash on US Highway 71 just south of LA Highway 527 shortly after 6:00 a.m. Luke Partain, 21, of Castor, Louisiana, was killed in the crash.

The initial inquiry found that Partain was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado north on US Highway 71. A large hardwood tree was uprooted from the ground and fell over both travel lanes of the highway at the same time. As a result, the Silverado collided with the tree.

Partain, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. The Bossier Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead at the scene. Although no impairment is suspected, regular toxicological samples were collected and will be analyzed. LSP indicated that this crash is still being investigated.

Louisiana State Police said that while not all crashes are avoidable, statistics suggest that wearing your seat belt properly reduces your chances of being injured or killed in a crash. Louisiana law requires that everyone in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, wear their seat belts at all times. Wearing your seat belt correctly is one of the most efficient strategies to save your life and limit injuries in a vehicle crash.

Troop G has investigated 12 fatal crashes so far in 2023, resulting in 12 deaths.