On March 30, 2023, shortly before 7:00 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop C was alerted to a two-vehicle fatal collision on Louisiana Highway 24 approximately one mile north of Louisiana Highway 3235. Ediberto Lopez-Bados, age 25 and from Larose, was killed in the collision.
The preliminary investigation revealed Lopez-Bados was driving a 2011 Nissan Altima northbound on LA Highway 24. For reasons that are still under investigation, the Altima crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a 2018 Mack truck traveling southbound. Following the collision, both vehicles left the roadway and entered a small drainage canal.
Despite being properly restrained, Lopez-Bados sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. The driver of the Mack, who was also restrained, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Both drivers provided a standard toxicology sample, which was then submitted for analysis. This incident is still under investigation.
In 2023, Trooper C has investigated seven fatal crashes resulting in eight fatalities.