Fatal Crashes in Louisiana
Louisiana Fatal Crashes
Learn about fatal crashes that occured on Louisiana roadways.
Latest Updates on Fatal Vehicle Crashes in the State of Louisiana
Unrestrained Louisiana Driver Killed After Vehicle Hits Billboard Support On LA 39, State Police Say
Arabi, Louisiana – A 64-year-old Metairie man died Saturday after a single-vehicle crash on…
Louisiana Highway 20 Motorcycle Crash Kills Schriever Man, State Police Say
Schriever, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that killed a…
Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Dies After Train Strikes Patrol Car On Highway 3
Benton, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a deadly crash involving a train and…
Louisiana Highway 617 Fatal Pedestrian Crash Under Investigation By State Police
Brownsville, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred Tuesday night, January 20, 2026, on…
Louisiana Highway 174 Crash Near Troop E Claims Life Of Arkansas Driver
Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 174 that killed a man…
Louisiana Highway 4 Crash East Of Highway 850 Kills 56-Year-Old Driver
Grayson, Louisiana – A 56-year-old man was killed early Wednesday in a single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 4 just east of Louisiana Highway…
Sulphur Motorcyclist Killed In I-10 Westbound Crash Near Mile Marker 23
Sulphur, Louisiana – Sulphur Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash on Interstate 10 that claimed the life of a 19-year-old Sulphur man…
Louisiana Bicyclist Dies After Nighttime Crash On Belle River Road In Assumption Parish
Pierre Part, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a bicyclist on Louisiana Highway 1016-2 (Belle River Road)…
Louisiana Man Dies After Single-Vehicle Crash On LA 447 In Livingston Parish Following Attempted Traffic Stop
Walker, Louisiana – Shortly after 12:30 a.m. on January 7, 2026, a 21-year-old Walker man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway…
Louisiana State Police Seek Driver After Deadly Hit-And-Run Crash On Highway 86 Near Suard Road
New Iberia, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a New Iberia man on Louisiana…
Louisiana Front-Seat Passenger Ejected And Killed In Highway 21 Crash, Driver Faces Vehicular Homicide Charge
Angie, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a deadly single-vehicle crash that occurred late Sunday morning, January 4, 2026, on…
Louisiana Single-Vehicle Crash On I-49 Near Natchitoches Kills Unrestrained Coushatta Man
Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal one-vehicle crash on Interstate 49 that claimed the life of a Red…
Lake Charles Pedestrian Succumbs to Injuries After December 30 Highway 14 Crash, Police Investigation Continues
Lake Charles, Louisiana – A 63-year-old Lake Charles man has died after being struck by a vehicle in a crash on Louisiana Highway 14, and the Lake…
Common Questions About Road Work in Southwest Louisiana
What are the primary causes of fatal car accidents in Louisiana?
The leading causes of fatal car accidents in Louisiana are consistently tied to dangerous and preventable driving behaviors. While every crash has unique circumstances, data from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the LSU Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS) point to several primary factors:
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Impaired Driving: Driving While Impaired (DWI), whether from alcohol or drugs, remains a top cause of traffic fatalities in the state. Louisiana consistently has one of the highest rates of alcohol-related crash deaths in the nation.
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Distracted Driving: With the prevalence of smartphones, distracted driving is a major contributor to deadly accidents. This includes texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the GPS or radio, or any other activity that takes a driver’s attention off the road.
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Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Exceeding the speed limit, driving too fast for conditions, tailgating, and making unsafe lane changes significantly reduce a driver’s reaction time and increase the severity of a crash, often making it fatal. Major corridors like I-10, I-12, and I-49 are common sites for these types of accidents.
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Failure to Use Seatbelts: A significant number of vehicle occupants killed in Louisiana crashes were not wearing a seatbelt. A seatbelt is a critical safety device that dramatically increases the chances of survival in a serious collision.
How many fatal crashes happen in Louisiana each year?
The number of fatal crashes in Louisiana fluctuates annually, but the state consistently records a tragically high number of traffic-related deaths. In recent years, Louisiana has seen between 800 and 1,000 traffic fatalities per year.
For the most current data, it is best to consult official sources like the Louisiana State Police and the LSU CARTS “Louisiana Crash Data Reports” portal.
It is important to note that Louisiana often has a higher fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled when compared to the national average. This indicates that driving in Louisiana can be particularly dangerous. Parishes with major urban centers and heavily traveled interstates, such as East Baton Rouge Parish, Orleans Parish, and Jefferson Parish, frequently report the highest number of fatal incidents.
When and where are fatal crashes most likely to occur in Louisiana?
While a serious accident can happen anywhere at any time, data shows that fatal crashes in Louisiana are more common under specific conditions and in certain locations. Understanding these risk factors can help drivers stay safer.
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High-Risk Times: The most dangerous times to be on the road are consistently at night, on the weekends (especially Friday and Saturday nights), and during major holiday periods like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and New Year’s Eve. These periods see a higher incidence of impaired driving and fatigue.
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High-Risk Locations:
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Rural Roads: Surprisingly to some, Louisiana’s rural two-lane roads are the site of a disproportionately high number of fatal crashes. Factors like higher speeds, poor lighting, sharp curves, and longer emergency response times contribute to the danger.
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Major Interstates: High-traffic corridors like I-10, I-12, I-20, and I-49 see many deadly accidents due to high speeds and the sheer volume of vehicles, including large commercial trucks.
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Intersections: A large percentage of fatal and serious injury crashes happen at intersections, often caused by drivers running red lights or failing to yield the right-of-way.
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By being extra vigilant during these high-risk times and in these locations, drivers can significantly reduce their chances of being involved in a catastrophic accident. Always manage your speed, pay close attention to your surroundings, and never drive impaired.