On July 21 at approximately 1:20 a.m., troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L responded to a single vehicle fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 40, mile marker 43, west of Louisiana Highway 1082 in Bush. The crash claimed the life of the unrestrained driver.

Initial investigation revealed that a 2001 Ford Ranger operated by Billy W. King II, 35, of Bush was eastbound on Highway 40. King, for reasons under investigation, veered right and over-corrected to the left causing the Ford to rotate counter clockwise, according to Master Trooper Greg Marchand. The Ford continued, traveled off of the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned.

King was ejected and sustained life-threatening injuries.

King, the sole occupant, was pronounced dead on the scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Alcohol is suspected, and a blood sample was collected for a toxicological analysis. Those results are pending as this crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana law requires the use of seat belts in all vehicles, every seating position and at all times. According to State Police, taking the time to buckle up before every trip is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.

Troopers wish to remind motorists that having a plan in place for a safe ride home after drinking is everyone’s responsibility.