Rapides Parish – On November 2, 2023, at approximately 10:50 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a one-vehicle crash on I-49 near Mile Post 78. The crash claimed the life of 76-year-old Tandy McElwee Jr. of Shreveport.
The initial investigation revealed that a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by McElwee, was traveling north on I-49. For reasons still under investigation, McElwee’s vehicle traveled off the roadway, entered the median, and struck the cable barrier.
McElwee, who was restrained, sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Routine toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving. A lapse in one’s awareness can have deadly consequences.
In 2023, Troop E has investigated 45 fatal crashes, resulting in 50 deaths.
