A routine drive along Louisiana Highway 13 ended in tragedy Thursday when a pickup truck left the roadway north of Kaplan, struck a culvert and killed a 59-year-old Rayne man, authorities said. Troopers responded to LA 13 near Kristin Road, where the driver was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Police identified the victim as 59-year-old David Abshire of Rayne. Investigators said Abshire was unrestrained in a 2013 GMC Sierra and was thrown from the truck when it left the highway and hit the culvert, according to KADN News 15. Troopers said they have not yet released details on what might have contributed to the crash as they continue to piece together what happened.
Investigation and safety context
State Police said the investigation is ongoing and may include toxicology work and vehicle-forensics testing as they reconstruct the crash. The case unfolds against a backdrop of stubborn seat-belt gaps for pickup drivers. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission's 2024 seat belt survey found a statewide front-seat belt use rate of 88.4%, compared with 82.7% for pickup occupants, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Local coverage has also highlighted a high share of unrestrained traffic deaths in Acadiana, as reported by KATC.
Family and neighbors in Rayne are mourning as authorities work to finalize their reconstruction of the scene. Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Louisiana State Police Troop I or the local sheriff's office. Troopers said they expect to release additional details as the investigation moves forward.
