Unrestrained Passenger Killed in Louisiana Dump Truck vs Passenger Car Crash

Slidell, Louisiana – According to Louisiana State Police, Troopers from LSP Troop L began investigating a two-vehicle fatal collision on Interstate 10 near Fremeaux Avenue in St. Tammany Parish shortly after 4:30 a.m. on August 6, 2022. Athuris Rapp, 20, of Gulfport, Mississippi, was killed in the crash.

The crash occurred when a 2021 Toyota Corolla driven by 20-year-old Reubon Kelly of Gulfport, Mississippi, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10. At the same time, an eastbound 2003 Mack dump truck was on Interstate 10. The Corolla collided with the rear of the Mack dump truck for unknown reasons.

Rapp was a backseat passenger in the Corrolla at the time of the crash and was unrestrained. Rapp died as a result of his injuries in the incident and was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash left Kelly and two other passengers with minor injuries. Kelly and one of the passengers were restrained appropriately, while the other passenger was not. Kelly and the other two passengers were all sent to nearby hospitals.

The Mack’s driver was securely restrained and was not injured. Routine toxicological samples were acquired from both drivers for analysis as part of the continuing inquiry.

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 injured 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.