Troop B – On June 6, 2012 at approximately 11:45 PM, Louisiana State Police Troop B investigated a single vehicle fatal crash on US 61 north, near LA 627 in St. Charles Parish. Preliminary investigation revealed a 2004 Nissan 350Z, driven by Ryan Murtha (W/M, age 24) of Houma, LA, was traveling north on US 61 in the right lane at a high rate of speed.

Murtha attempted an evasive maneuver into the left lane in order to avoid a vehicle in the right lane. He lost control of the Nissan, struck the raised median and traveled approximately 500 feet. Murtha then overcorrected the Nissan and it began to rotate and ran off the road to the right impacting a metal guardrail which penetrated the driver’s door. Murtha was pronounced dead on the scene.

Driver impairment is unknown and toxicology results are pending an autopsy. Murtha was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and speed is a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

Nationally, according to NHSTA, speeding is a factor in one-third of all fatal crashes. Speeding is defined as speed too fast for conditions or in excess of the posted speed limit.