A Texas man was killed in a two-vehicle crash on I-12, near LA 445 in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.

On September 6, just before 4:30 in the morning, officers from Louisiana State Police Troop L initiated an investigation into a deadly two-car collision on Interstate 12, close to LA Hwy 445 in Tangipahoa Parish. The unfortunate incident resulted in the death of a 54-year-old man, Miguel Antonio, from Baytown, Texas.

The preliminary inquiry found that Lon Fleetwood, a 63-year-old from Mandeville, Louisiana was traveling west on Interstate 12 in his 1996 Jaguar XJ6. Concurrently, a 2015 Ford Expedition was also traveling west on the same Interstate. Under circumstances yet to be determined, the Jaguar veered off to the left side of the road and hit a guardrail. After this collision, the Jaguar returned to the westbound lanes, colliding with the Ford. Post-collision, both vehicles lost control; the Jaguar proceeded off the road, ending up hitting a tree, while the Ford rolled over numerous times.

Antonio, an occupant of the Ford, was not wearing a seatbelt according to authorities, and tragically died due to injuries from the crash. His death was confirmed at the site of the crash. The Ford’s driver was wearing a seatbelt and suffered moderate injuries. The vehicle contained another five passengers, who were all wearing seatbelts and incurred minor injuries.

The driver and the other passengers of the Ford were all taken to a nearby hospital.

Fleetwood, who was wearing a seatbelt, received minor injuries and was also conveyed to a nearby hospital.

Regular toxicology tests were taken from both drivers to aid the continuing investigation.

Although not all vehicular crashes can be survived, data demonstrates that the correct use of your seatbelt significantly lowers the risk of injury or fatality. In Louisiana, the law mandates that everyone in a vehicle, regardless of where they’re sitting, must always have their seatbelts fastened. Wearing your seatbelt correctly is one of the best methods to protect your life and mitigate injuries during crashes.