Rural Carrier was not wearing a seatbelt – but Postal Workers are exempt from wearing seat belts in the performance of their duties.

Bossier Parish – On October 16, 2010, at 9:47 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a two vehicle crash on LA 527, east of LA 157, in Bossier Parish. The crash critically injured a 59-year-old United States Postal Service worker from Castor.

According to investigating troopers, two Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were traveling east on LA 527 while responding to an ATV accident. Both deputies were traveling in fully marked patrol units with their overhead light bars activated. While traveling east on LA 527, both units approached Deborah B. Wood, United States Postal Service worker, who was stopped partially in the roadway and on the right shoulder in her 2007 Jeep Wrangler, delivering mail.

The lead Sheriff’s unit steered safely around the Jeep Wrangler and continued east. The trailing Sheriff’s unit, a 2008 Ford Crown Victorian, operated by 68-year-old Deputy Joe Young, struck the Jeep Wrangler from behind causing it to veer right into the ditch area and overturn ejecting Mrs. Wood.

Mrs. Wood, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, was air lifted to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport with life threatening injuries. According to Louisiana’s seatbelt law, United States Postal Service workers are exempt from wearing their seatbelts in the performance of their duties.

Deputy Young, who was restrained at the time of the crash, was transported to Willis Knighton Bossier Medical Center in Bossier City with minor injuries.

Although impairment is not suspected to be a factor, routine toxicology test results are pending and the crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Police News Release
source: Louisiana State Police News Release