Unrestrained Louisiana Driver Killed in Evening Three-Vehicle Crash on US 371

Webster Parish, Louisiana – An unrestrained Louisiana driver was killed in an evening three-vehicle crash on US 371.

Louisiana State Police (LSP) stated on April 14, 2023, that on April 13, soon after 5:30 p.m., Troopers from Troop G began investigating a three-vehicle fatal crash on US Highway 371 south of LA Highway 802. Bobby Neal, 68, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was killed in the crash.

The early investigation found that Kendall Hampton, 26, of Haynesville, Louisiana, was driving a 2006 Ford F-150 south on US Highway 371. At the same time, Neal's 2017 Ford Focus was stopped, waiting to enter US Highway 371 from a parking lot. Hampton reportedly exited the road and collided with Neal for unknown reasons. The initial impact forced Neal to collide with a parked, unoccupied 1999 Dodge Durango.

All occupants were unrestrained according to reports from authorities. Neal was sent to Springhill Medical Center and pronounced deceased. A passenger in the Ford Focus was treated at a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Hampton's injuries were not life-threatening.

Although impairment is not suspected in this incident, regular toxicological samples were gathered from both drivers and will be analyzed. This crash is still being investigated.

While not all accidents are avoidable, statistics suggest that wearing your seat belt properly reduces your chances of being wounded or killed in an accident. Louisiana law requires that everyone in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, wear their seat belts at all times. Wearing your seat belt correctly is one of the most efficient strategies to save your life and limit injuries in a car accident.

Troop G has investigated seven fatal crashes so far in 2023, resulting in seven deaths.