Unrestrained Louisiana Man Killed, Restrained Passenger Suffers Minor Injuries in Rollover Crash on I-49

Louisiana – According to Louisiana State Police, on October 1, 2022, at approximately 6:00 a.m., LSP Troop E responded to a fatal crash on I-49 south of Natchitoches, Louisiana. Nicholas A. Bernard, 26, was killed in the crash.

Bernard was driving a 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 north on I-49, according to the preliminary inquiry. Bernard’s vehicle went off the road and into the median before colliding with a guardrail and flipping. This action expelled Bernard from the vehicle.

Bernard, who was unrestrained, suffered catastrophic injuries and was pronounced dead. A restrained passenger suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. A toxicological sample was taken and submitted for analysis. This accident is still being investigated.

While not all crashes are survivable, correct use of seat belts can considerably lower an occupant’s likelihood of death and may greatly lessen the level of harm. Keeping every occupant securely restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.

Troop E has investigated 39 fatal crashes so far in 2022, resulting in 41 fatalities.