Ville Platte Man Dies After Crash With 18-Wheeler

A crash happened this morning between an 18-wheeler and a passenger vehicle that has resulted in fatality.

Louisiana State Police Troop I Spokesman Trooper Thomas Gossen says the crash happened north of Mamou.

Gossen says the preliminary information that was gathered by troopers on the scene, 31-year-old Joseph Lee Willis crossed the center line of Louisiana Highway 13 and hit the 2000 Peterbilt 18-wheeler head-on.

Willis was pronounced dead at the scene by officials with the Evangeline Parish Coroner's Office, and blood samples were taken from both drivers so that routine toxicology tests can be done. The trooper says they do know that Willis was not wearing a seat belt.

Gossen says they do not know at this time why Willis ended up crossing the center line, but they do know that when he did, the driver of the Peterbilt then tried to avoid the crash, but Willis ended up maneuvering his 2016 Chevrolet Sonic right into the path of the 18-wheeler.

The driver of the 18-wheeler was buckled up, and that man was not injured as a result of the deadly crash.

Gossen says, based on statistics that have been complied throughout the years, most people who die in crashes are not wearing a seat belt. He reminds people that everyone who is in a vehicle in the state of Louisiana must be wearing a seat belt. He adds that when you are wearing a seat belt that is the best chance that you have of not becoming seriously injured or dying in the invent of a crash.

The trooper says their statistics so far this year show that twenty-one people have died this year in the Troop I Acadiana area.