Louisiana Man Dies in Tragic Crash in St. Mary Parish

Louisiana State Police troopers investigated a fatal crash in St. Mary Parish very early this morning that resulted in the death of a Franklin man.

According to Louisiana State Police Troop I Spokesman Trooper Thomas Gossen says there was a head-on crash on Highway 90 near the Big Four Corners Road in which 59-year-old John Tardy died as a result.

According to the initial investigation, Gossen says troopers say that Tardy lost control of his vehicle while driving on the eastbound side of the highway. They do not know the reason why, but Tardy's car came across the median of the road and slammed head-on into a vehicle on the westbound side of the highway.

Trooper Gossen says Tardy was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, and he died as a result of the collision. The driver of the other vehicle was also not wearing a seat belt, and officials say the person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

As is typical in a case like this, routine toxicology samples were taken from both drivers to be analyzed to determine whether or not impairment was a factor in this crash. Those results will be released at a later time.

Gossen says all drivers are reminded of the following when they are driving:

Never drive while you are impaired by any substance.

Never drive when you are suffering from fatigue.

Never allow enough to distract you while you are driving.

State law required everyone in a vehicle to wear a seat belt at all times.

The crash happened at around 2:30 this morning. Officials say they are still investigating this crash.

Officials with Louisiana State Police Troop I have investigated 38 fatal crashes this year in which 43 people have died.