Olla man killed in Natchitoches Parish crash

59 year old Michael Routon, of Olla, was killed in a single vehicle crash in Natchitoches Parish this morning.

Routon was driving a 2005 Peterbilt (18-wheeler) northbound on U.S. Highway 71 when he lost control and exited the left side of the roadway.

He then collided with a ditch embankment before colliding with several trees and overturning.

Routon was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, but was pronounced dead. The crash remains under investigation.

While not all crashes are survivable, seat belts can greatly decrease the occupant’s chance of death and will greatly reduce the extent of injury.

Troop E Troopers have investigated 33 fatal crashes in 2019, resulting in 37 fatalities.