Houston Man Dies From Injuries Received in St Martin Parish Crash
Dec 17, 2018 08:27AM ● By Press Release
St. Martin Parish – Shortly after 2:00 am on December 16, 2018, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a single vehicle serious injury crash on LA Hwy 347 near Doyle Melancon Rd. in St. Martin Parish. The crash ultimately took the life of 28-year-old Joseph Terral of Houston, TX.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Terral was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt southbound on LA Hwy 347. For reasons still under investigation, Terral’s vehicle crossed into the northbound lane of travel and ran off the roadway to the left. After leaving the roadway, the Chevrolet struck a concrete culvert, entered a ditch, and then struck a tree.
Terral was unrestrained at the time of the crash. He suffered serious injuries as a result and was transported from the scene to Lafayette General Medical Center. Terral was pronounced deceased by medical personnel on the afternoon of December 16, 2018. Impairment is unknown at this time, but a toxicology sample was taken from Terral to be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants in a 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 and always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.
