Avoyelles Parish – On Friday, September 9, a single vehicle crash killed a man from St. Landry community and injured another man from Bunkie. Both men were not wearing a seat belt.

Troopers responded to the crash around 4:40 p.m., which occurred on LA Hwy 115 south of Bunkie. The crash involved a 1982 GMC pickup, driven by James A. Savage (33 yrs). The GMC was southbound on LA Hwy 115 when the vehicle experienced a major transmission failure, based on evidence at the scene. This resulted in the rear tires becoming nonfunctional. Then, Savage lost control of the vehicle and exited the right side of the roadway. After exiting the roadway, the GMC collided with a culvert and overturned.

Savage was pronounced dead. His only passenger, identified as Ryan C. Bernard (24 yrs), received moderate injuries and was transported to Rapides Regional Trauma Center.

Routine toxicology tests are pending. The crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Police would like to take this opportunity to remind/inform motorists that properly wearing your seat belt will dramatically reduce your chance of being injured or killed in a crash. We ask you to take one second to “buckle up!” Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Not wearing a seat belt remains the leading cause of death in motor vehicle crashes.

Troop E Troopers have investigated 37 fatal crashes in 2016, resulting in 42 fatalities.