Louisiana State Police (LSP) say that two men from Texas lost their lives when they attempted to “jump” an open drawbridge in their car this morning.
The crash occurred around 2 a.m. on Friday, May 24 on Hwy 384 (Big Lake Road) at the Black Bayou Bridge about 6 miles south of Lake Charles, according to a news release from LSP.
Police say that 23-year-old Alejandro Cazares of McAllen, Texas and 32-year-old Roberto Alejandro Moreno of Edinburg, Texas were traveling south on Hwy 384 when the incident occurred.
From LSP:
“The initial investigation revealed the driver was traveling south on LA Hwy 384 in a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze when he came to a pontoon bridge that was closed to vehicular traffic to allow a boat to pass on the Intracoastal Waterway. According to a witness, the passenger exited the vehicle and pushed the gate arm up. The driver drove under the gate and picked up the passenger before proceeding towards the ramp located at the end of the bridge. After stopping briefly, the driver placed the vehicle in reverse then accelerated forward in an attempt to “jump” the ramp of the bridge. The vehicle became airborne, landed in the waterway, and sank to the bottom.”
The driver was trapped inside the vehicle while the passenger was found in the water outside the vehicle. Both men died at the scene.
State police have submitted toxicology samples for analysis.