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A Marrero man was killed in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Route 51 near Woodland Drive in Laplace, Thursday, after allegedly fleeing from St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, according to Louisiana State Police. 

The crash took place at around 6 p.m. and resulted in the death of Jacob Faulstich Jr., 30.

Before the crash, Faulstich was reportedly approached by deputies investigating an incident in his 2014 Chevrolet Camaro, according to the LSP. Faulstich then allegedly fled the scene at high speed. 

State police and St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office did not identify the incident that SJPSO deputies were investigating, which later led to the high-speed chase. 

Faulstich was pursued by deputies on U.S. 51 heading northbound, according to LSP. As the pursuit approached Woodland Drive, the right side of Faulstich’s Camaro struck the front left side of a Honda Pilot before hitting a traffic signal pole, police said.

Faulstich was not wearing a seatbelt during the crash and sustained serious injuries, LSP reported. He died at the scene.

Both the driver and passenger of the Honda were restrained and were not injured.

A standard toxicology sample was collected from Faulstich. No alcohol was detected in the Honda driver’s breath sample, LSP said. The crash remains under investigation. 

Speed, impairment, and lack of seatbelt use remain the top factors in fatal crashes across Louisiana. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to avoid hazards, stop in time, or react when something unexpected happens on the road. 

Impairment only makes those risks worse. While not all crashes are survivable, wearing a seatbelt significantly reduces the chances of being killed or seriously injured in a collision. 

Troopers urge all drivers to make wise choices every time they get behind the wheel—slow down, stay sober, and buckle up.