GROSSE TETE, LOUISIANA: A 65-year-old Florida man, named Michael Joseph Smith, reportedly died in a single vehicle crash on I-10 in Iberville Parish on Friday, August 4. He was reportedly driving a 2017 Hyundai Tuscon, west on Interstate 10. He exited a roadway to the right before accidentally driving into a canal and striking a tree, WAFB reported.
As per officials, first responders arrived at the scene of the crash around 9 am on August 4 and found Smith dead from his injuries, BR Proud reported. Authorities said that the Florida man received severe injuries despite wearing seatbelt at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The Louisiana State Police is currently involved in the investigation of the crash, the outlet noted.
Who was Michael Joseph Smith?
On Friday, August 4, Louisiana State Police troopers responded to a crash on I-10, east of LA 77 and found that a 2017 Hyundai Tuscon, westbound on I-10, had exited a road on the right, entered a canal and struck a tree. The driver was later identified as 65-year-old Florida man, Smith, from Defuniak Springs, Florida. He was declared dead on the scene. Officials confirmed that Smith was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash but suffered from severe injuries that claimed his life.
Authorities believe the Florida man was not impaired by alcohol or drugs at the time of accident but will be submitting a toxicology sample for analysis. The news of the Florida man's death was announced by the Louisiana State Police on social media. "Earlier today, shortly after 9:00 a.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 east of LA 77 in Iberville Parish. The crash ultimately claimed the life of 65-year-old Michael Joseph Smith of Defuniak Springs, Florida. The initial investigation revealed that Smith was driving a 2017 Hyundai Tucson headed west on Interstate 10," the statement read.
"For reasons still being investigated, Smith exited the roadway to the right, entered a canal, and struck a tree. Despite being restrained, Smith suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Impairment is not suspected on the part of Smith. As part of standard procedure, a toxicology sample was obtained from Smith and will be submitted for analysis," it continued. "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," the statement concluded.
'I-10 seems to be a 'problem child' in Southern Louisiana'
In the wake of the accident, several social media users also took to Facebook to react to Florida man Smith's death. "I-10 seems to be a "problem child" in Southern Louisiana. There is a crash somewhere on this road almost every day," one user said. "Prayers for his family. Prayers for all 1st Responders," another added. One said, "Prayers for his family" while another added, "Prayers for the family."
