Retrieving Dropped Cell Phone Leads to Fatal Crash

On Saturday (March 23, 2019) at 12:23 AM, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L

responded to a two vehicle fatal crash on I-12 near Airport Rd. in St. Tammany Parish. The crash has claimed the life of  Glenn Williams, Jr. (33) of Baton Rouge.

Troopers determined that the crash occurred as Williams eastbound on I-12 in the right lane. A 2016 Freightliner driven by Rolando J. Rivas (60) of Denver, CO. was traveling eastbound in the left lane. Rivas reached down to retrieve a cell phone, which had fallen on the floor. As Rivas reached for the device, his tractor trailer traveled from the left lane into the right lane and crashed into the left side of Williams’ vehicle. Both vehicles traveled off the right side of the roadway.

Williams was ejected from his vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased on-scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Rivas was transported to Ochsner Medical Center-North Shore, where he was treated for minor injuries.

Rivas was cited for Improper Lane Use. On completion of the investigation, Troopers will forward the findings to the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office for consultation of any additional criminal charges.