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
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…
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…
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…
Unrestrained Louisiana Man Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash On LA 44, State Police Say
Reserve, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a deadly single-vehicle crash that occurred Tuesday night, December 2, 2025, on LA 44…
Louisiana Crash on LA 1019 Near Amite Church Road Leaves Denham Springs Man Dead
Louisiana State Police: One Dead in Head-On Crash on LA 1019 in Livingston Parish Denham Springs, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are…
Louisiana Man Dies After Vehicle Strikes Home In Assumption Parish, State Police Say
ASSUMPTION PARISH, La. — A 71-year-old Napoleonville man died after his vehicle left the roadway and struck a residence in Assumption Parish on the…
Louisiana Highway 86 Crash Near Big Don Lane Claims Life Of St. Martinville Man
New Iberia, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police say a St. Martinville man has died following a single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 86 in Iberia…
Louisiana State Police Investigating Deadly Pedestrian Crash On LA 447
Walker, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian that occurred shortly before 4 a.m. on November…
Louisiana Troopers Investigate Fatal I-55 Crash That Left Two People Dead
Manchac, Louisiana – Shortly before 9 p.m. on November 22, 2025, a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 northbound, just before the Manchac Bridge…
Louisiana Pedestrian Killed In Multi-Vehicle Crash On Crescent City Connection Bridge HOV Lanes
A 22-year-old New Orleans man was killed early Sunday in a multi-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on the Crescent City Connection Bridge,…
Louisiana Man Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash On Messina Road, State Police Say
Rapides Parish, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that left a Boyce man dead Saturday afternoon in Rapides…
Louisiana Bicyclist Killed In Crash With Truck On Highway 1025
Denham Springs, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police Troop A is investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of a bicyclist Monday evening on LA…
Louisiana Fatal Motorcycle Crash Claims Life Of a Man On Highway 22
Ponchatoula, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash that killed a Ponchatoula motorcyclist on Louisiana…
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.