Speed suspected to be a factor in Sorrento crash

SORRENTO – At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 3, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A (LSP) began investigating a single vehicle fatality crash on Interstate 10 eastbound east of La. 22 in Ascension Parish. The crash took the life of 25-year-old James Rodgers of San Jacinto, Calif., and his passenger, 58-year-old Wanda Kinchloe of Hemet, Calif.

The initial investigation by LSP revealed that the crash occurred as Rodgers was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 in a 2004 Ford pickup truck. Rodgers was traveling at a high rate of speed when he made an abrupt lane change and lost control of his vehicle. Rodgers’ vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. 

Rodgers was restrained at the time of the crash and suffered fatal injuries. Kinchloe, who was the rear passenger, was unrestrained at the time of the crash and suffered fatal injuries. The front seat passenger was restrained and was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Rodgers and Kinchloe were pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ascension Parish Coroner’s Office. It is unknown if impairment was a factor in this crash. A toxicology sample will be taken from Rodgers and submitted to theLouisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. 

LSP wish to remind motorists that all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death.