Clyde Butler Obituary, Death; State police ID victim in fatal I-10 Ascension Parish crash
Clyde Butler Obituary, Death – The Louisiana State Police (LSP) responded late Wednesday night to a fatal single-vehicle crash in Ascension Parish that claimed the life of a New Orleans man.
The accident happened shortly after 11 p.m. on August 20 along I-10 East near the LA 73 exit. Investigators say the crash involved a 2003 Ford F-150, driven by 77-year-old Clyde Butler of New Orleans.
According to state police, Butler’s pickup truck veered off the roadway for reasons still under investigation. After leaving the travel lanes, the truck struck both the guardrail and a bridge railing before overturning multiple times. During the violent sequence, Butler was partially ejected from the vehicle. Authorities confirmed he was not restrained at the time of the crash, which may have contributed to the severity of the outcome.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Butler was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved in the incident, and no additional injuries were reported.
Officials with LSP noted that the case remains under investigation as they work to determine what caused Butler’s vehicle to leave the road. Investigators typically consider a number of possible factors in crashes of this kind, including impairment, fatigue, distraction, or a medical emergency. At this time, however, police have not released any details about what may have led to the wreck.
The tragic loss of life underscores the dangers of high-speed travel on interstate highways, particularly during late evening hours when visibility and driver alertness can be more challenging. Louisiana State Police routinely encourage drivers to remain vigilant, buckle up at all times, and avoid risky behaviors such as speeding or using a phone behind the wheel.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that rollover crashes, such as the one in this case, are often among the deadliest types of vehicle accidents. Vehicles that leave the roadway and strike fixed objects like guardrails are at greater risk of overturning, especially pickup trucks and SUVs with higher centers of gravity. Seat belt use is considered the most effective way to reduce the risk of fatal injury in rollover accidents, as it prevents occupants from being ejected or partially ejected.
Community members in Ascension Parish and New Orleans expressed sadness after learning of Butler’s death. While details about his background were not immediately available, his passing adds to the ongoing concern about roadway safety in Louisiana, where state crash statistics consistently reflect hundreds of traffic-related fatalities each year.
As of Thursday, investigators continued their review of the wreck, including an inspection of the vehicle and scene evidence. Butler’s body was released to the parish coroner’s office, where standard toxicology tests will be performed, as is customary in all fatal crashes.
Authorities are expected to release further updates as the investigation progresses. In the meantime, law enforcement officials are again urging drivers to take every possible precaution on the road to avoid tragedies like this one.
