Unrestrained Passenger Killed in St. Tammany Parish Crash (1)

Slidell – Shortly before 1:00 a.m. this morning, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 near Gause Blvd. in St. Tammany Parish. The crash claimed the life of 37-year-old Brittany Rawson of Elberta, Alabama.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the crash occurred as a 2014 BMW X1, driven by 42-year-old Andre Fontana of Mobile, Alabama, was eastbound on Interstate 10. At the same time, a 2008 Freightliner tractor-trailer was also eastbound on Interstate 10, directly in front of the BMW. For reasons still under investigation, the BMW struck the rear of the Freightliner’s trailer.

Rawson was not properly restrained at the time of the crash and was transported to a local hospital, where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries. Fontana was also not properly restrained and sustained serious injuries. He was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the Freightliner was properly restrained and uninjured. Routine toxicology samples were obtained from Fontana and the driver of the Freightliner for analysis. This investigation remains ongoing, and charges are pending.

While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that properly wearing your seat belt will dramatically reduce your chance 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 crash injuries.

Contact Information:
Trooper First Class William Huggins
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
[email protected]
Office: (985) 893-6250