LaSalle Parish, Louisiana - Louisiana State Police Troop E arrived at the scene of a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 84 near Whitehall around 7:10 a.m. on May 19, 2024. Unfortunately, Dustin G. Rachal, a 21-year-old from Pineville, Louisiana lost his life in the crash.

The first examination showed that Rachal was driving a 2013 Dodge Ram heading west on U.S. Highway 84. It is still being looked into why Rachal's vehicle veered off the road, went down the ditch, became airborne, and hit multiple trees.

Rachal, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the location of the crash. Samples for routine toxicology testing were taken and will be analyzed. The cause of the crash is still being investigated.

While not all crashes can be survived, using seat belts correctly can significantly lower the likelihood of death and potentially minimize the severity of injuries. Making sure everyone in a vehicle is properly buckled up can make a critical difference between surviving or not in a crash.

So far in 2024, Troop E Troopers have investigated 22 deadly collisions which have led to 24 deaths.