Unrestrained Iowa man killed in head-on crash

Published 10:09 am Wednesday, December 6, 2023

An unrestrained Iowa, La., man was killed Tuesday night in a two-vehicle, head-on collision at the intersection of U.S. 90 and Scheufens Road.

Louisiana State Police Troop D spokesperson Sgt. Derek Senegal said the crash claimed the life of 56-year-old Larry Lee Carter Jr.

Senegal said  a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by 40-year-old Juan Carlos Maciel of Austin, Texas, was traveling east on U.S. 90. At the same time, a 1999 GMC pickup truck driven by Carter, was traveling west on U.S. 90.

“As both vehicles approached the intersection of U.S. 90 and Scheufens Road, Maciel failed to yield the right-of-way to the westbound GMC and attempted to make a left turn onto Scheufens Road,” Senegal said. “The Jetta struck the GMC head-on in the westbound lane of travel. The impact caused Carter to be ejected from the GMC.”

Carter, who was not restrained, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Maciel was properly restrained and sustained minor injuries. He was transported to a Lake Charles area hospital. The front seat passenger in the GMC was properly restrained and sustained minor injuries.

Toxicology samples were obtained from Maciel and Carter and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Troop D has investigated 33 fatal crashes resulting in 36 deaths in 2023, Senegal said.