WASHINGTON PARISH - One man is dead and another is injured after their vehicle crashed into a utility pole on LA 436 Friday night.

State Police responded to a single vehicle crash around 8 p.m. Friday night on LA 436 near LA 21. Investigators learned that 54 year-old Lark Starnes was the driver of the vehicle and 49 year-old Lance Vonhallenbeck was the passenger.

State Police said Starnes was speeding on LA 436 when the vehicle went off the right side of road and crashed into a utility pole and a tree.

Vonhallenbeck sustained severe injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Washington Parish Coroner's Office. Starnes suffered moderate injuries and was transported to North Oaks Health Systems.

Troopers suspect inpairment to be a factor in the crash. Blood samples obtained will be sent to the State Police Crime Lab for analysis.

An investigation remains underway and charges are pending Starnes' release from the hospital.