Unrestrained Louisiana Man Killed in 3-Vehicle Crash on LA 14

Louisiana – On October 6, 2022, Louisiana State Police reported that shortly before 2:30 p.m., LSP Troop I was notified of a multiple-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 14 west of W. Pirates Lane in Vermilion Parish. The crash claimed the life of 26-year-old Erin Mathew LaPoint of Lake Arthur, Louisiana.

State Police conducted a first inquiry, which discovered that an agricultural operation was burning field edges near LA 14. The concentration of smoke obstructed the eyesight of drivers on the road. Two independent but connected crashes occurred within a short period of time. As a result of the road closure, a third fatality occurred. According to investigators, the third incident happened while LaPoint was driving west on LA 14 in a 2003 Ford Mustang when he rear-ended a 2022 Peterbilt Single Unit Delivery Tanker that was stopped in the lane due to the previous crashes. Skyler Abshire of Gueydan, driving a 1998 truck, rear-ended LaPoint. LaPoint’s Mustang was smashed between the Peterbilt truck and the pickup when they collided.

LaPoint was unrestrained and died as a result of his injuries. The Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced him deceased at the scene. The Peterbilt driver was restrained and not harmed. Despite being unrestrained, the pickup driver was not injured.

Standard toxicological samples were taken from LaPoint for analysis. The drivers of the Peterbilt and truck both provided breath tests, which revealed no alcohol and no symptoms of impairment. This crash is still being investigated.

Louisiana State Troopers remind motorists that making good choices while in motor vehicles such as always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, not driving impaired, and not being distracted behind the wheel can often mean the difference between life and death.

Troop I has investigated 39 fatal crashes resulting in 44 deaths so far in 2022.