Man dies after dump truck crashes under Interstate 10 overpass

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) – Early 2023 an 18-wheeled vehicle that pulls an excavator resulted in Interstate 10 being closed at its overpass over Interstate 49 due to damage to the overpass. Louisiana DOTD officials have announced a repair plan to address the issue.

Fortunately, the driver was not killed or ever reported injured.

Another accident on I-10 that occurred less than a week later involving a dump truck and another overpass had a horrific outcome for the driver.

The fatal accident occurred early Sunday morning around 1:00 a.m. on I-10 at the Trumps Road overpass near exit 72 (Egan Exit) in Acadia Parish, according to Louisiana State Police. Investigators say Bernard Bush, 71, of Washington, Louisiana, was driving the dump truck west in the right lane as it approached the overpass.

The problem was that the truck’s dump body was in an elevated position and hit the underside of the overpass. As a result, the trough came loose from the frame and the driver’s cab overturned. Bush, who was not restrained, was then ejected from the dump truck.

Soldiers say Bush was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. He died from his injuries on Tuesday evening.

A standard toxicology sample was received for analysis and this crash is still under investigation.

Louisiana State Troopers leave you this reminder:

Always wear a seat belt in every sitting position and every time you drive. Seat belts distribute the forces that the body experiences in an accident. They also serve to protect the head, neck and spine and prevent them from being thrown out of the vehicle. Simple precautions like wearing a seat belt can often mean the difference between life and death.

It’s been a tough start to 2023 as Troop I has investigated 4 fatal crashes that have claimed 5 lives so far. Local authorities in Lafayette and the surrounding area also caused a number of fatal accidents in the first few weeks of 2023.

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