Unrestrained Morganza Man Dies after Being Ejected in Pointe Coupee Parish Crash

New Roads, LA – Shortly after 10:00 pm on September 14, 2016, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a single vehicle fatality crash on LA 10 west of LA 1 in Pointe Coupee Parish. The crash took the life of 47 year old Darrell Dillard of Morganza, LA.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as 46 year old Valerie Landry of Morganza, LA was traveling eastbound on LA 10 in a 2012 Chevrolet Impala. For unknown reasons, Landry ran off the right side of the roadway and lost control of her vehicle. Landry’s vehicle struck a driveway and began to overturn. Dilliard was unrestrained at the time of the crash and was ejected through the sunroof of the vehicle.

Dillard sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Pointe Coupee Parish Coroner’s Office. Landry was properly restrained and suffered moderate injuries in the crash. It is unknown if impairment was a factor in this crash but a toxicology sample will be taken from Landry for analysis.

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death.