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Robert – Tuesday morning, shortly before 4:30 a.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 12 near LA Hwy 445 in Tangipahoa Parish. The crash claimed the life of 54-year-old Miguel Antonio of Baytown, Texas.

 The initial investigation revealed that a 1996 Jaguar XJ6, driven by 63-year-old Lon Fleetwood of Mandeville, was westbound on Interstate 12. At the same time, a 2015 Ford Expedition was westbound on Interstate 12. For reasons still under investigation, the Jaguar ran off the road to the left and struck a guardrail. After striking the guardrail, the Jaguar traveled back into the westbound travel lanes and struck the Ford. The Jaguar then traveled off of the roadway and struck a tree. The Ford traveled off of the roadway and overturned multiple times.

Antonio, a passenger in the Ford, was unrestrained and sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. He was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the Ford was properly restrained and sustained moderate injuries. There were five other passengers in the Ford, all were properly restrained and sustained minor injuries. The driver of the Ford and the five other passengers were all transported to a local hospital. Fleetwood was properly restrained, sustained minor injuries, and was transported to a local hospital. As part of the ongoing investigation, routine toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers for analysis.

While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that properly wearing your seat belt will dramatically reduce your chance of being injured or killed in a crash. Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Properly wearing your seat belt is one of the most effective ways to save your life and reduce injuries in crashes.