Calcasieu Parish, LOUISIANA – Shortly after 2:00 a.m. on Friday, Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a single-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 384 (Big Lake Road) at the Black Bayou Bridge about 6 miles south of Lake Charles. The crash claimed the lives of two Texas residents.
Police say the driver was traveling south on LA Hwy 384 in a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze when he came to a pontoon bridge that was closed to vehicular traffic to allow a boat to pass on the Intracoastal Waterway. According to a witness, the passenger exited the vehicle and pushed the gate arm up. The driver drove under the gate and picked up the passenger before proceeding towards the ramp located at the end of the bridge. After stopping briefly, the driver placed the vehicle in reverse then accelerated forward in an attempt to “jump” the ramp of the bridge. The vehicle became airborne, landed in the waterway, and sank to the bottom.
The driver was unable to exit the vehicle and the passenger was located outside of the submerged vehicle.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene by the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office.
The victims are identified as 23-year-old Alejandro Cazares of McAllen, Texas and 32-year-old Roberto Alejandro Moreno of Edinburg, Texas.
Toxicology samples were obtained and will be submitted for analysis.
