Unrestrained Louisiana Man Not Wearing a Helmet Killed in UTV Crash Near US 171 After Rolling Over and Colliding with a Tree

DeSoto Parish, Louisiana – An unrestrained Louisiana man who was also not wearing a helmet was killed in a UTV crash near US 171 after rolling over and colliding with a tree.

Louisiana State Police (LSP) stated on April 16, 2023, that on April 15, just before 4:00 p.m., Troopers assigned to Troop G began investigating a single-vehicle fatality crash involving a (UTV) utility terrain vehicle on Percheron Drive, west of US Highway 171. Timothy Henderson, 36, of Grand Cane, Louisiana died in the crash.

The initial inquiry found that Henderson was driving a 2021 Yamaha UTV west on Percheron Drive. The Yamaha left the road, rolled, and collided with a tree for unknown reasons.

According to authorities, Henderson was unrestrained and not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and was ejected during the incident. The DeSoto Parish Coroner pronounced Henderson dead at the scene.
Although impairment is not thought to be a cause, regular toxicological samples were collected and will be analyzed. This crash is still being investigated.

Troopers emphasized the significance of using correct safety equipment when operating any off-road vehicle, such as certified helmets and seat belts. Off-road vehicles (three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and other all-terrain vehicles) are also unsafe and illegal to operate on any public roadway in this state.

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