Unrestrained Driver Killed, Juvenile Injured in Single-Vehicle Red River Parish Crash

TROOP G NEWS RELEASE
December 16, 2024

Coushatta – This morning, shortly after midnight, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 71 near Hughes Road. The crash claimed the life of 29-year-old Douglas Ates of Coushatta.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina, driven by Ates, was traveling south on U.S. Highway 71. For reasons still under investigation, Ates’ vehicle exited the roadway, overturned, and collided with a tree.

Ates, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. A 15-year-old juvenile, who was unrestrained in the front passenger seat, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that properly wearing your seat belt will dramatically reduce your chance of being severely 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 during crashes.

Contact Information:
Trooper Eddie Thomas
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section-Troop G
Office: (318) 741-7411
[email protected]