This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

THIBODAUX, La. (WGNO) — A crash on a Lafourche Parish highway Christmas night left a passenger dead and the driver injured and arrested, according to the Louisiana State Police.

Just after 8 p.m., troopers were called to the scene of a single-vehicle crash on La. Highway 308 near Marcello Boulevard. An investigation revealed 49-year-old Francisco Lopez-Mendoza was driving a Mazda 3 along the highway when he entered a left curve.

For unknown reasons, police say the Mazda ran off the right side of the road, collided with a utility pole, and flipped over. Troopers say Mendoza, along with 46-year-old passenger Lazaro Pech of Raceland, were wearing seatbelts but Mendoza only suffered moderate injuries. Pech was pronounced dead on the scene.

Detectives determined Mendoza was impaired and was arrested at the hospital for:

  • Driving While Impaired
  • Vehicular Homicide
  • Careless Operation
  • Driver Must Be Licensed

The crash remains under investigation by LSP.

Stay updated with the latest news, weather, and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play store and subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.