Gonzelez man killed in head-on crash near Bayou L'Ourse

A Gonzalez man was killed and another person injured Monday in an early-morning crash that led to the closure of La. 398 near Bayou L'Ourse.

Louisiana State Police Troop C identified the fatality as Pedro Leija Guzman, 39.

According to the state police account, the accident happened shortly before 6 a.m. on La. 398 west of La. 1013.

The preliminary investigation revealed Guzman was driving a 2014 Toyota Camry west on LA Hwy 398. For reasons still under investigation, the Camry veered left, crossed the centerline, and struck a 2013 Kenworth tractor-trailer head-on. The Camry then re-entered the westbound lane and struck a 2016 GMC Yukon.

Guzman sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the Kenworth was not injured. The driver of the GMC sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. All drivers involved were properly restrained.

Although impairment is not suspected, a standard toxicology sample was collected from Guzman and submitted for analysis. The drivers of the Kenworth and GMC both voluntarily provided toxicology samples, with results pending. This crash remains under investigation.

Troopers reminded motorists to make good decisions while in a motor vehicle. Never drive impaired, fatigued, or distracted and follow all traffic laws. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death.