CALCASIEU PARISH, La. (KPLC) - A Lake Charles man is dead, and a suspected drunk driver is in custody after a three-vehicle crash on La. 27, state police said.
The crash happened just after 6 this morning near La. 397 southeast of Lake Charles, Trooper Roy Jones of Louisiana State Police said. The crash claimed the life of Erick John, 32.
Investigators say John was driving north on La. 27 behind a Hyundai Santa Fe when a truck driven by 32-year-old Alfonso Arredondo of Port Neches, Texas, crossed the center line and sideswiped both vehicles. Arredondo then lost control of his truck, drove off the road into a ditch, and overturned.
John was properly restrained, but died at the scene, Jones said. The driver and four passengers of the Hyundai were taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries.
According to Jones, Arredondo showed signs of impairment and was arrested. He was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Jail on the following counts:
- Vehicular homicide
- Vehicular negligent injury (Five counts)
- Second-offense driving while intoxicated
- Driving left of center
Routine toxicology samples were collected and have been submitted for analysis, Jones said.