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Wrong-way driver on I-49 killed after crashing into 18-wheeler, officials say
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ST. LANDRY, La. (KLFY) -- One man is dead and another injured after a pickup truck driving the wrong way on I-49 crashed into an 18-wheeler Tuesday night, authorities said.
Louisiana State Police Troop I was called shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday to investigate a two-vehicle crash on I-49 about 3 miles south of La. 106 in the Evangeline Parish community of St. Landry.
The crash resulted in one fatality. The victim’s identity has not yet been determined pending forensic identification, officials said.
Investigators said a 2020 Ram 1500 was traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-49. At the same time a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia 18-wheeler was traveling north, and the Ram struck the Freightliner head-on. Following the impact, both vehicles traveled off the roadway into the median, where they caught fire.
The driver of the Ram was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the Freightliner sustained minor injuries, authorities said.
The driver of Freightliner was determined not to be impaired and voluntarily provided a breath sample that indicated no alcohol was detected, officials said. Standard toxicology samples were also collected and submitted for analysis.
This crash remains under investigation.