Opelousas man killed in 2 a.m. wreck

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Shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday, Louisiana State Police Troop I troopers responded to a single-vehicle fatality crash on U.S. 167 near Redwood Road north of Abbeville, which claimed the life of 53-year-old Joseph L. Redmond of Opelousas.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Redmond was driving a 2006 Mercedes Benz 280 southbound on U.S. 167 approaching a left curve in the roadway. Redmond failed to negotiate the curve and ran off of the rights side of the roadway, police said. Redmond’s vehicle continued to travel off of the roadway, striking a culvert and a utility pole.
Redmond, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead on scene by a representative from the Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office
It is unknown if impairment is a factor in the crash. Toxicology samples were taken from Redmond and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.