Alcohol Use is Suspected in Fatal Crash in Assumption Parish

Paincourtville – Shortly before 10:00 p.m. last night, Troopers with Troop C responded to a single-vehicle fatality crash on LA 403 just east of LA 1004. The crash took the life of 41-year-old Cody Hicks of Pascagoula, MS.
The preliminary investigation revealed Hicks was traveling eastbound on LA 403 in a 2000 Ford F-250. He was in a left curve in the roadway when he attempted to pass a vehicle in a no passing zone. Hicks’ vehicle ran off of the roadway to the left then he steered towards the right. His vehicle crossed LA 403 and he ran off of the roadway to the right and entered a ditch. Hicks’ vehicle then rolled over and came to rest on the roof. Hicks was not wearing his seat belt and suffered fatal injuries. Alcohol use is suspected and a toxicology test is pending. This crash remains under investigation.
Time and time again, Troopers witness preventable motor vehicle crashes. Impairment and lack of seat belt usage are primary causes of fatal crashes across the state of Louisiana. Nearly half of the fatal crashes in Louisiana are caused by impaired drivers. Louisiana State Police urge motorists to have a plan in place that includes a designated driver when consuming alcohol. Alcohol can impair visual ability, alter sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills, and decrease reaction times. Alcohol can begin to impair a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle after just one drink. Please choose to not drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver, and always buckle up.
Troop C has investigated 3 fatal crashes this year resulting in 3 deaths.