Louisiana State Police Troop C began investigating a fatal one-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 90 eastbound, close to the Raceland/Houma exit (Exit 210) on Louisiana Highway 182 on September 25, 2023, just after 4 p.m. The incident resulted in the death of Jerry Fruge, a 60-year-old resident of Terrytown, Louisiana.

The initial inquiry disclosed that Fruge was driving a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe on the U.S. Hwy 90 East in the right lane during a severe downpour, and lost control of the vehicle for reasons yet to be determined. Consequently, the car veered off the road and hit a large traffic sign on the side of the roadway.

Despite being properly restrained, Fruge sustained fatal injuries and passed away at the location of the crash.

A normal toxicology specimen was taken from Fruge for examination. The investigation into this crash is still ongoing.

LSP said that when navigating through intense rain showers, safety should be your main concern. Adjust your speed to correspond with the state of the road, keep a secure distance from the car ahead, make certain your headlights are on for better sight and so others can see you, and check to see if the car's tires haven't eroded to a dangerous tread level. Moreover, rain-drenched roads might be slick, hence abrupt steering and braking maneuvers should be avoided.

So far in 2023, LSP Troop C has conducted investigations into 24 deadly crashes, which resulted in the death of 27 individuals.