LAPLACE — A Gretna man was killed last week when his vehicle ran off the road on Interstate 10 in St. John the Baptist Parish, striking a tree, authorities said.

Fernando V. Maldonado, 30, died at University Medical Center New Orleans of injuries suffered in the crash. Louisiana State Police said Maldonado was extricated by St. John Parish Fire Services and taken to Ochsner Health Center – River Parishes before being transferred to New Orleans.

Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop B began investigating the single-vehicle fatal crash on I-10 westbound near the Belle Terre Boulevard exit shortly after 5:30 a.m. Friday.

The initial investigation revealed the crash began when Maldonado’s Infiniti G35 ran off the roadway to the right and struck a tree in heavy rain.

Maldonado was properly restrained at the time of the crash, police said, but sustained serious injuries and was trapped in his vehicle following the wreck.

Impairment is not suspected to have been a factor in the crash, but standard toxicology results are pending.