Wrong-Way Driver Killed in Louisiana Crash on LA 16 in St. Helena Parish

St. Helena Parish, Louisiana – A wrong-way driver was killed in a Louisiana crash on LA 16 in St. Helena Parish.

Louisiana State Police Troop L initiated an investigation into a deadly collision involving two vehicles on LA Hwy 16 in St. Helena Parish. The incident, which occurred on July 6, 2023, took the life of Justin Ruiz, a 28-year-old resident of Denham Springs, Louisiana.

According to the first examination, a 2007 Honda Civic driven by Ruiz was moving westbound on the eastbound shoulder of LA Hwy 16. Simultaneously, a 2022 Peterbilt 389 was traveling in the correct direction in the eastbound lane of LA Hwy 16. The Honda then moved from the side of the road into the eastbound lane and collided with the Peterbilt.

The Louisiana State Police (LSP) stated that Ruiz was not wearing a seatbelt during the crash, which resulted in fatal injuries and his death at the crash site. The driver of the Peterbilt truck was wearing a seatbelt and suffered only minor injuries. They were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. As part of the ongoing investigation, samples were collected from both drivers for toxicology analysis. The cause of the crash is still being investigated.

Although not all crashes can be survived, data indicates that wearing your seat belt correctly can significantly decrease the likelihood of getting injured or dying in a collision. In Louisiana, it is mandatory for everyone in a vehicle to always be buckled up, regardless of where they are seated. Ensuring you wear your seat belt properly is an extremely effective method of preserving your life and minimizing injuries in accidents.