Louisiana Man Tragically Dies after Making a Fatal Mistake on Interstate 10

Officials with Louisiana State Police were called out to investigate a crash where a man made a fatal mistake while driving on I-10.

The crash happened at around 1:30 in the morning on Friday, April 4.

What Do Investigators Know About The Crash?

According to Trooper Shelby Mayfield with the Public Affairs Section of State Police, the 39-year-old man ended up driving his vehicle head-on into an 18-wheeler, which resulted in his death.

As troopers conducted their preliminary investigation, they determined that James Burns was driving westbound on Interstate 10. He was not in the westbound lanes.

Investigators say Burns got onto the eastbound side of I-10 but was driving in the wrong direction.

How Did The Crash Happen?

A tractor-trailer truck was driving in the correct direction, eastbound on I-10, but that is when Burns drove head-on into the 18-wheeler.

The truck immediately burst into flames on impact with the 18-wheeler.

What Else Is Known About The Crash?

The person driving the 18-wheeler was buckled up. He suffered moderate injuries and was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

As is standard in fatal crashes, toxicology samples were taken, which will be submitted to a lab for analysis.

What Troopers Want Drivers To Know

• Never drive when any substance impairs you.
• If you are fatigued, you should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
• Never let anything distract you while you are driving.
• Every driver must follow all of the traffic laws.
• Each person in a vehicle must be buckled up.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. This happened on I-10 near mile marker 171.

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