Louisiana Teen Killed, Driver Arrested for Suspected Impairment in Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash on US 90

Louisiana - The Louisiana State Police reported that on December 22, 2022, soon before 3:00 p.m., LSP Troop C was notified of a two-vehicle fatal crash on an elevated part of eastbound U.S. Highway 90 near Amelia, Louisiana. The collision took the life of Lebis Adonal Aguilar, 19, of Houma, Louisiana.

Juan Ramos, 50, of Houma, Louisiana was driving a 2008 Lincoln Navigator east in the right lane of U.S. Highway 90 at a high rate of speed, according to the preliminary inquiry. A 2022 RAM 2500 carrying a trailer was also heading east in the right lane of U.S. Highway 90 ahead of the Lincoln at the same moment. Ramos failed to slow down as he approached the truck and trailer's back, veered to the left to avoid a collision, overcorrected, and caused the Lincoln to spin. The Lincoln sideswiped the RAM truck, collided with the elevated roadside barrier, and drove over the edge of the elevated highway before landing on its roof below.

Aguilar, a passenger in the Lincoln, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Ramos sustained severe injuries and was brought to a hospital in the New Orleans region for treatment. Seatbelt usage among the occupants of the Lincoln is currently unknown. The driver of the RAM was appropriately restrained during the collision and sustained no injuries.

Troopers arrested Ramos for Driving While Impaired, Vehicular Homicide, Careless Operation, and Driver Must Be Licensed after reportedly determining he was impaired at the hospital. Ramos's toxicological sample was obtained and sent for analysis. It was found that the driver of the RAM was not impaired, and he voluntarily provided a breath sample that revealed no traces of alcohol. This incident is still under investigation.

LSP indicated that in Louisiana, nearly half of all fatal crashes are caused by impaired drivers. Alcohol and other substances impair your vision, fine motor abilities, and reaction times. Before taking alcohol or drugs, motorists should have a strategy for a safe ride home, because if you feel different, you drive differently.

So far in 2022, Louisiana State Police Troop C has investigated 46 fatal collisions resulting in 50 fatalities.

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