Wrong-Way Driver Carl Lee Bryant Killed, Impairment Considered a Factor
Calcasieu Parish – Louisiana State Police report that on April 21, 2017, a crash involving two vehicles killed a man from Lake Charles, LA. He was not wearing a seat belt, is suspected of being impaired, and was operating his vehicle the wrong way on the road.
Troopers responded to the crash around 10:10 p.m., which occurred on US Hwy 171 at Topsy Cutoff Road. The crash involved a 1992 Toyota Tercel, driven by Carl Lee Bryant (B/M 61 yrs) and a 2007 Honda CRV, driven by Jennifer M. Fontenot (W/F 27 yrs) of Longville, LA. The Toyota was southbound in the northbound inside lane (left lane) of US Hwy 171 when it collided head-on with the northbound Honda. The Honda was also being driven in the inside lane, but in the correct direction, when the crash occurred.
Bryant was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fontenot was wearing her seatbelt and received moderate injuries. She was transported to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Routine toxicology tests are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
Motorists must be reminded that alcohol and other drugs have many effects on the body. Alcohol and other drugs can impair visual ability, alter the sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills needed to operate a motor vehicle, and decrease reaction times. Just one drink may cause these effects.
Louisiana State Police would like to take this opportunity to remind/inform motorists that properly wearing your seatbelt will dramatically reduce your chance of being injured or killed in a crash. We ask you to take one second to “buckle up!” Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Not wearing a seat belt remains the leading cause of death in motor vehicle crashes.
Troop D has investigated 8 fatal crashes resulting in 11 deaths in 2017.