SLIDELL (WGNO) Early Sunday morning at approximately 7:10 am, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L were notified of a single vehicle crash on LA 433 east of I-10 in St. Tammany Parish. Upon further investigation, Troopers concluded the crash took place at approximately 4:30 am and resulted in the death of the vehicle`s front passenger and serious injuries to the driver, 31 year old John Cole both of Slidell, LA.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Cole, an off-duty Slidell Police Officer, was traveling west on LA 433 in a 2005 Jeep Wrangler, when for reasons under investigation, he failed to maneuver a left curve in the roadway causing the Jeep to run off road to the right. Upon leaving the roadway, Cole overcorrected to the left and lost control of the vehicle resulting in the Jeep entering a ditch and overturning. Cole was not properly restrained at the time of the crash and was transported to the Interim LSU Hospital in New Orleans with serious injuries.
Front seat passenger in the Jeep, 31 year old Daniel Hanlon, suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner`s Office.
Impairment is suspected on Cole`s part and a blood sample was collected for a toxicological analysis. Those results and charges are pending as this crash remains under investigation.
Troopers wish to remind motorists that having a plan in place for a safe ride home is everyone’s responsibility. Making poor decisions in a vehicle such as driving impaired, driving while distracted, or not wearing a seat belt leads to serious injuries and deaths every day across the state. Making the responsible decision can mean the difference between life and death. And remember, the only designated driver is the person who has had NO ALCOHOL