Convent – This morning, shortly after 6:30 a.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a single-vehicle crash on LA 44 at Oak Tree Street in St. James Parish. The crash ultimately claimed the life of 19-year-old Drake Ryan Upton of Lafayette.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Upton was driving a 2019 Ford F-150 headed south on LA 44. For reasons still being investigated, Upton failed to negotiate a left hand curve, traveled off the road to the right, overcorrected and traveled off the road to the left. Subsequently, he struck a tree and his vehicle overturned.
Upton was not restrained at the time of the crash and was ejected from the Ford. He suffered critical injuries was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died. As part of the ongoing investigation, a toxicology sample was obtained from Upton and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Speeding can increase your chances of being severely injured or killed in a crash. When speeding, you are more likely to lose control and your ability to react to or avoid a roadway hazard is severely diminished. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics demonstrate that properly worn restraints can significantly reduce your risk of being injured or killed in a crash. Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Properly wearing your seat belt is one of the most effective ways to save your life and reduce injuries in crashes.
Contact Information:
TPR Christian Reed
Louisiana State Police – Troop A
Public Affairs Section
Office: (225) 754-8524
