Thibodaux, LA – Louisiana State Police report that shortly before 5:00 a.m. July 2, 2016, Troopers from Troop C began investigating a single-vehicle fatality crash on LA 3107 just west of Rene Drive. The crash took the life of 45-year-old Robert Cook of Front Royal, VA.

The preliminary investigation revealed Cook was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on LA 3107. Cook accelerated to pass a vehicle and lost control of his vehicle. He ran off of the road to the left and his vehicle rolled over several times. Cook was not wearing his seat belt and was ejected. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries. Cook had two passengers inside his vehicle, 56-year-old Craig Uggen and 20-year-old Kriss Uggen, both of Thibodaux, LA. Each passenger was wearing his seatbelt and was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Speed and alcohol are suspected as factors in the crash. A blood test for Cook is pending from the Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office.

Troopers witness this type of tragedy time and time again where some occupants are wearing their seat belts and others are not. We urge all drivers and passengers to insist that everyone wears their seat belt. While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Louisiana law requires every vehicle occupant, front seat, and back seat, to be properly restrained day or night.