Two Texas men were killed after attempting to "jump" a bridge in Louisiana on Friday, police say.
Police said shortly after 2 a.m. on Friday, Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a single-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 384, Big Lake Road, at the Black Bayou Bridge about six miles south of Lake Charles.
The crash killed two men. They were identified as 23-year-old Alejandro Cazares, from McAllen, Texas, and 32-year-old Roberto Alejandro Moreno, from Edinburg, Texas.
The initial investigation revealed the driver, Cazares, was traveling south on LA Hwy 84 in a 2016 Chevy Cruze when he came across a pontoon bridge that was closed off to traffic.
It was closed to allow a boat to pass on the Intracoastal Waterway.
According to a witness, the passenger, Moreno, exited the vehicle and pushed the gate arm up. The driver drove under the gate and picked up the passenger before heading towards the ramp located at the end of the bridge.
After stopping briefly, the driver placed the vehicle in reverse then accelerated forward in an attempt to "jump" the ramp of the bridge.
The vehicle was airborne, landed in the water and sank to the bottom.
The driver was unable to exit the vehicle and the passenger was located outside of the submerged vehicle.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene by the Calcasieu Parish Coroner's Office. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Division and the U.S. Coast Guard performed search and recovery.
Toxicology samples taken from both men were obtained and will be notified for analysis.
The crash remained under investigation.
Troop D has investigated 13 fatal crashes resulting in 16 deaths in 2019.
