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
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…
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…
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…
Unrestrained Louisiana Man Killed In Two-Vehicle Crash On Highway 190 In St. Landry Parish
Eunice, Louisiana – A 65-year-old Eunice man died Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 190 at Beck Miller Road in St. Landry…
Louisiana Highway 57 Crash Kills Unrestrained Driver In Terrebonne Parish
Houma, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Sunday evening, December 14, 2025, at the…
Louisiana Pedestrian Killed In Highway 117 Crash Near Highway 111, State Police Say
Vernon Parish, Louisiana – A 62-year-old Leesville man was killed Thursday evening in a pedestrian crash on Louisiana Highway 117, according to…
Louisiana Motorcycle Crash On I-10 Near LA 433 Kills Laplace Man, Injures Passenger
Slidell, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 near LA 433 (Old Spanish Trail) in St….
Louisiana Crash On LA 67 Near LA 412 Leaves One Unrestrained Driver Dead, Two Injured
Slaughter, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, 2025, on…
Louisiana Crash On US 61 Near Port Hudson Plains Road Kills Zachary Man
Zachary, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a deadly two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 61 that claimed the life of a Zachary man…
Louisiana Pedestrian Killed In US 167 Crash In Lafayette Parish, State Police Say
Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash on U.S. Highway 167 in Lafayette Parish that left a Maurice man dead Saturday…
Louisiana Woman Killed In Highway 155 Crash; Driver Arrested On Vehicular Homicide Charge
Bienville Parish, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 155 that claimed the life…
Louisiana Single-Vehicle Crash Claims Life Of Unrestrained Mississippi Woman On LA 430
Franklinton, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred early December 6, 2025, on Louisiana…
Louisiana Highway 96 Crash In St. Martin Parish Kills New Iberia Woman
ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. — A single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 96 in St. Martin Parish has claimed the life of a 61-year-old New Iberia woman,…
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.