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GONZALES – A Walker man was killed in a two-vehicle crash this morning just after 6:00 am on LA 42 west of LA 44 in Ascension Parish. Joshua O. Graham (W/M, age 28) of Walker was driving a 1994 GMC Pickup east on LA 42 when he struck the rear of a 2007 Ford Pickup. The Ford, being driven by Robert M Ricouard III (W/M, age 39) of Roxie, MS, had come to a stop in the eastbound lane at Cecil James Road. Ricouard was waiting for oncoming traffic to clear in order to make a left turn when Graham rear-ended him. Graham was not wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred and sustained serious injuries. Acadian Ambulance transported Graham to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Ricouard and his passenger, Rustin E. Carmouche (W/M, age 32) of Gonzales, were both properly restrained when the crash occurred. Ricouard sustained minor injuries and was attended to at the scene of the crash by first responders. Carmouche was not injured.

According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, 71% of drivers killed in crashes in 2008 in Louisiana were not restrained when these crashes occurred. Louisiana law requires that everyone in the vehicle, regardless of seating position, buckle up while on the roadways. Troopers will continue to enforce Louisiana’s seat belt laws and educate the public on the importance of seat belt use in an effort to increase seat belt use throughout the state.

BUCKLE UP, SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES!!!

Contact Information:
Tpr Russell G. Graham II
Public Affairs Unit
Louisiana State Police – Troop A
Office: (225) 754-8524
russell.graham@dps.la.gov
www.LSP.org
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