Opelousas, LA – Two tragic accidents in the Acadiana area claimed the lives of two unrestrained drivers within hours of each other. The Louisiana State Police Troop I is investigating both crashes, which occurred on August 9 and 10.
The first incident happened on Friday, shortly after 10:00 p.m., on US 167 near Harold Street in Opelousas. Marquarious Solomon, 23, of Scott, was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Impala southbound when his vehicle exited the roadway, entered a ditch, and overturned. Solomon, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Less than 12 hours later, Troopers were notified of another single-vehicle crash in St. Martin Parish. This incident occurred on LA 347 near Alexandre Hebert Road in St. Martinville. The driver, 22-year-old Ridge Belaire of New Iberia, was behind the wheel of a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe when his vehicle veered off the road, entered a ditch, and overturned. Like Solomon, Belaire was unrestrained and was ejected, dying at the scene. A passenger was severely injured and is receiving medical care.
Louisiana State Police stress the importance of wearing seatbelts, noting that while not all crashes are survivable, seatbelt use drastically reduces the risk of fatal injuries. Both crashes remain under investigation.
