MAUREPAS, La. (The Livingston Parish News) – Impairment is suspected after a fatal crash in Maurepas that took the life of a Prairieville man, according to Louisiana State Police.
Eugene Duplessis, 71, was pronounced “deceased on scene” after his vehicle collided with a tree in the Amite River early Saturday morning, State Trooper Taylor Scrantz said in a press release.
According to Scrantz, “Duplessis was traveling eastbound on La. Hwy. 22 in a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche” when his vehicle veered off the road to the right.
LSP said, “the vehicle then re-entered the eastbound lane of travel on La. Hwy 22 and proceeded to travel off the left side of the roadway.”
With Duplessis inside, the vehicle then hit a tree which was in the Amite River and subsequently became submerged.
First responders were able to find the Chevrolet Avalanche later on in the Amite River.
Duplessis was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, Scrantz said, but nonetheless “sustained fatal injuries.”
Authorities suspect impairment played a part in this crash.
LSP said, “a toxicology sample was taken from him for analysis.”
The investigation into this crash remains ongoing.
