Hit And Run Crash Claims Life Of Breaux Bridge Tow Truck Operator, Texas Suspect Behind Bars

25-year-old Blaze Louviere, who worked for Guy's Towing, lost his life Sunday morning after La. State Police say he was hit by a vehicle while trying to remove a disabled vehicle on I-10.

Troopers indicated Louviere’s tow truck was equipped with the proper yellow strobe overhead light bar. But, according to police, that didn't stop 24-year-old Luis Molina of Mission, Texas, from hitting Louviere with his 2000 GMC Yukon around 2:30 a.m., then driving away. Trooper Stephen Hammons says witnesses followed Molina into the Breaux Bridge city limits where Breaux Bridge Police Officers took him into custody until Troopers could arrive.

Troopers were notified about 7 hours after the accident that Louviere had died from his injuries. Molina was not injured during the crash. And police say, while it was unknown if Molina was wearing his seat belt, he was under the influence of alcohol. He's been booked into the St. Martin Parish Jail for vehicular homicide, improper lane use and felony hit-and-run. State Police are still examining toxicology samples and continue to investigate the case.

Guy's Towing statement, obtained from our news partners at KATC: "Guy's Towing Service, Inc. has for decades served the communities of south Louisiana and aided in protecting the motoring public in its untiring effort to eliminate drunk driving and the tragedies that follow. Today Guy's lost one of its own family members to a drunk driver. Today is a day we will never forget as we mourn the loss of Blaze Louviere, a young man who's life was needlessly taken by a drunk driver while assisting one of his own on I-10 early this morning."

Louisiana Law requires drivers operating a vehicle upon an interstate or multi-lane highway to yield the right of way to a parked vehicle on the shoulder of the road.  If a lane change is not possible, the law requires drivers to reduce their speed.  On two lane roads, drivers are required to maintain a safe speed for roadway conditions.

Last year, 62% of the fatal crashes investigated by Troop I involved some form of impairment.  Troopers remind drivers about the dangers of impaired driving.  Even after having just one drink, decision making abilities are hindered.  Make the responsible decision every time, don’t drink and drive.