Louisiana State Police (LSP) confirmed that a truck driver lost his life on Monday in a single-vehicle crash.
According to LSP, the crash occurred around 8:30 a.m. on April 4 at the intersection of U.S. 90 at Bayou Gauche Road in Paridis, Louisiana.
Troopers say that 52 year old Jason Gilbert was driving a 2007 Kenworth east on U.S. 90 with a trailer carrying a “heavy load.”
As Gilbert approached the intersection, he slowed the truck for a red light.
“As it came to a stop, the heavy load on the trailer shifted causing the straps to break and the load to move forward, into the cab,” LSP said in a news release.
Gilbert was properly restrained but suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
LSP said that a toxicology report is pending.
“”An unsecured load can be just as dangerous as any other roadway hazard,” LSP – Troop B said. “Louisiana state law requires the load of a vehicle to be securely fastened to prevent it from becoming loose, detached or a risk to other highway users. Taking just a few extra minutes to check the securement of a load could prevent tragedy.”