RAYNE, La. (NEWS 15) — A Houston 18-wheeler driver is in custody in connection with a hit-and-run crash along I-10 in Acadia Parish earlier this month that left a Rayne man dead.
Thomas Smith, 49, of Houston, is accused of leaving the scene of a deadly crash. Jeremy Thomas, 38, of Rayne, was killed in the wreck.
Authorities said he was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety Violent Crimes Task Force on Tuesday, October 14, on an arrest warrant issued by the Rayne Police Department.
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RAYNE, La. (NEWS 15) — A driver is dead after rear-ending an 18-wheeler parked along I-10 and the driver of that big rig is being sought, according to the Rayne Police Department. Police identified the driver killed in the wreck as Jeremy Thomas, 38, of Rayne. The other driver was not identified. Police said the crash happened on I-10 West near the Rayne exit on Sunday, October 5, just before 3:30 a.m. They noted Thomas was driving a 2022 Chevrolet pickup truck that slammed into the back of a 2021 Volvo semi-truck leased to Level Up Express LLC and pulling a white cargo trailer that was parked on the shoulder of the interstate.
According to the investigation, Smith had parked a red 2021 Volvo tractor hauling a white cargo trailer on the shoulder of the I-10 West off-ramp at Exit 87 in Rayne on Sunday, October 5, when Thomas, driving a red 2022 Chevrolet pickup truck, rear-ended the semi-truck around 3:15 a.m., and Smith left the scene before police arrived.
Louisiana law states that all parties involved in a crash must stay at the scene, exchange information, and provide aid if there are injuries. It is also required to contact law enforcement if the crash results in more than $500 in damage or involves injuries or deaths.
Officers identified the company operating the big rig through Crime Fighters of Louisiana cameras. Management at Level Up Express LLC cooperated with law enforcement, providing the driver’s information, which led to the arrest warrant.
Rayne Police Chief Carroll Stelly said a deadly hit-and-run charge can result in up to 10 years in prison.
The investigation is ongoing.
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