Louisiana: State Police report Jeremy Shane Drake dead in DWI crash; injured Tabitha Irvine

Louisiana State Trooper

Louisiana State Trooper

Impairment and Lack of Seat Belt Use Lead to Death and Serious Injury in Allen Parish Crash

OAKDALE, LA – Impairment and failure to wear a seat belt are suspected factors in a crash this morning that led to the death of a man and seriously injured a woman.

On July 29, 2015, at 11:19 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a single-vehicle crash on River Dam Road approximately 2/10th of a mile from Louisiana Highway 1152. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2005 Ford Expedition was traveling west on River Dam Road when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle exited the roadway. The vehicle traveled approximately 140 feet parallel to the road before striking a large pine tree.

The driver, 38-year-old Jeremy Shane Drake of Oakdale, was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Allen Parish Coroner’s Office.

The lone passenger, 36-year-old Tabitha Johnson Irvine of Oakdale, was not wearing a seat belt and was flown to Rapides Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

Impairment on the part of Drake is suspected to be a factor in the crash. A toxicology sample was obtained and will be submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana law requires vehicle occupants to be properly restrained in all seating positions, day and night. The decision not to wear a seat belt can lead to serious injury or death in the event of a crash. Motorists are encouraged to make the smart choice and to always wear their seat belt.

In 2013, 63 percent of people who died in crashes investigated by Troop D were killed by an impaired driver. No one should ever drive impaired or get in a vehicle with an impaired driver.

Troop D has investigated 14 fatal crashes resulting in 15 fatalities this year.