WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• Unlicensed driver doesn't face charges in deadly crash

  May 21, 2013 10:16 PM

  INDEPENDENCE- State Police have not filed charges against a 15-year-old, unlicensed driver who investigators said crashed the car she was driving and killed a ten-year-old sibling. The driver was with her two brothers and sister, headed to baseball practice Monday when the crash happened on Highway 1054. "We... more »

• Drowsy driving remains an elusive highway dilemma

  May 11, 2013 2:12 PM

  MINEOLA, N.Y. - Many Americans admit they've done it, but safety experts say drowsy driving is a problem motorists are just starting to wake up to. A fatigue expert on the National Transportation Safety Board says drowsy driving can be as bad as drunken driving. Police today can easily determine... more »

• Chicken chase: 4 birds busted for highway trot

  April 22, 2013 3:20 PM

  NEW ORLEANS- Police had to deal with an unusual crime on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Monday morning. A group of chickens were loose, running around on the bridge. Eventually, four were snatched and detained by officers. They were locked-up in the back of a Causeway Police cruiser, just... more »

• Teens die in WBR crash

  April 16, 2013 7:07 AM

  ERWINVILLE - Two teenagers are dead this morning after a single car crash in West Baton Rouge Parish. It happened just after 9:30 p.m. Monday on Hwy. 413, north of US 190. State police say 18-year-old Nikki Nolen of Erwinville was driving southbound when her SUV suddenly ran... more »

• Proposal: West Bank Connector from BR to NO

  April 1, 2013 10:40 AM

  PORT ALLEN - Opinions vary among local and state officials whether or not a proposed "West Bank Connector" can get off the ground this legislative session. Wilfred Barry, president of the SJB Group, a Baton Rouge design firm, is working with six parishes on a plan that would bring an... more »

• UPDATE: Troopers investigate overnight head-on collision

  March 22, 2013 1:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE - An overnight crash on Airline Hwy near the East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parish line left two injured. Troopers say a driver was traveling southbound in the northbound lane. Robert Teasley has been charged with vehicular negligent injuring, wreckless operation and 2nd offense DWI. Troopers... more »

• Some cell phones can't reach LSP emergency line Play Video

  February 25, 2013 4:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Verizon Wireless users statewide could be left out in the cold during an emergency on the road. A Verizon spokeswoman company told News 2 that a problem with their network does not allow customers to access *LSP or 577. She said the company was unaware of the... more »

• Mattress causes deadly crash on Pa. highway

  February 22, 2013 8:40 AM

  YORK, Pa. - One person is dead, two others injured after a fiery chain reaction crash in Pennsylvania sparked by a mattress. State police say it happened Thursday afternoon on Interstate 83 in York County. Two service trucks from a petroleum company slowed down because of the mattress.... more »

• I-12 opens after hour-long closure

  February 19, 2013 9:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE- I-12 was closed for about an hour Tuesday after a crash near O'Neal Lane. Westbound lanes were closed and some traffic went around the crash on the shoulder. Details about the crash have not been released. The traffic alert was sent around 7:30 p.m. that... more »

• Busy highway gets major upgrades Play Video

  February 4, 2013 4:06 PM

  STEPHENSVILLE- A six-mile section of busy Highway 70 is getting a major overhaul in St. Martin Parish. It serves as an evacuation route and thousands of people use the road each day to travel between Morgan City and Baton Rouge. Melvin Verrett has lived in the community for... more »

• DOTD: No lane closures during 'Super Gras'

  January 24, 2013 10:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Because of the magnitude of special events surrounding Super Bowl and a full slate of parades associated with New Orleans' carnival season, state transportation officials say they are suspending lane closures on all bridges, freeways, expressways and arterial roadways near those activities. The Louisiana Department of Transportation... more »

• Ala woman dead; car collided with tractor-trailer

  January 21, 2013 5:28 AM

  VILLE PLATTE- Louisiana State Police say a 53-year-old Alabama woman is dead after a collision with a tractor-trailer. Trooper Stephen Hammons says Donna Saenz of Sampson, Ala., failed to stop at a two-way stop sign on Louisiana Highway 365 and Louisiana 35 in Acadia Parish. She was pronounced dead... more »

• Baton Rouge man dies in St. Helena car crash

  January 18, 2013 6:43 AM

  MONTPELIER - State Police says a 33-year-old Baton Rouge man was killed in a single-vehicle wreck on La. Highway 16 in southeastern St. Helena Parish. Troopers say David Fontenot Jr.'s sport utility vehicle drifted off the road, hit a parked bulldozer and overturned. Fontenot, who was not wearing... more »

• Man killed in crash on New Year's Eve

  December 31, 2012 9:32 PM

  SLAUGHTER- A man from Baton Rouge died in a vehicle crash on Highway 957 Monday evening. State Police said Herman D. Ricard, 44, ran off the road in a curve, over corrected, and eventually crossed back over the highway and hit a utility pole then a tree. Ricard... more »

• Highway back open after school bus wreck

  December 12, 2012 12:00 PM

  POINTE COUPEE - An overturned school bus closed a portion of La. 420 in Pointe Coupee Parish for a time this morning. According to the sheriff's office, only the driver was on board when it wrecked earlier this morning. They had minor injuries, and were taken to a nearby... more »

• Wrong-way driving crashes claim hundreds of lives

  December 11, 2012 10:29 AM

  WASHINGTON - A federal study says about 360 people a year are killed in wrong-way driving crashes on high-speed highways, a majority of which involve alcohol. The National Transportation Safety Board was meeting Tuesday to review the study and consider recommendations on countermeasures to prevent such collisions. One... more »

• Motorcycle deaths, injuries cost $16 billion

  November 27, 2012 3:01 PM

  WASHINGTON - A government watchdog says direct costs from deaths and injuries in motorcycle crashes were $16 billion in 2010, but the full cost is likely higher. The report by the Government Accountability Office said motorcyclists are involved in fatal crashes at higher rates than drivers of other types... more »

• Woman killed in wreck, highway shut down

  November 13, 2012 10:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge woman died this morning after a wreck on Jefferson Highway. Sheriff's deputies said Shannan Fergeson Taylor, 29, was hit at the intersection of Jefferson and Inniswold around 8:30 a.m. They said her seat belt didn't work, so she wasn't wearing it when... more »

• La. seat belt use at record high

  October 30, 2012 10:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The use of seat belts in Louisiana has reached a record high of 79.3 percent this year. It's a factor officials say is contributing to the state's declining highway death rate. The 79.3 percent rate is an increase from last year's 77.7 percent, which itself matched... more »

• Police searching for armed robber

  October 29, 2012 3:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Police in Baton Rouge said they're still searching for a masked gunman who held up a payday loan business today. Cpl. Thomas Stubbs with BRPD said they were called to American Cash Advance Payday Loans at 7171 Airline Highway around 12:30 p.m. He said they were... more »

• 74-year-old partially ejected, killed in crash on I-12

  October 11, 2012 10:11 PM

  ALBANY- A 74-year-old man died Thursday in a crash at an I-12 Exit in Livingston Parish. Bruce Beever died. State Police said he was not wearing a seat belt when his pick-up crashed. "He exited the interstate at Albany, when he lost control of the vehicle and slid... more »

• Deadly crash closes I-12 at Albany

  October 11, 2012 6:04 PM

  ALBANY - A deadly wreck closed an exit off I-12 West in Livingston Parish this afternoon. State Police said the driver of a pickup lost control while exiting I-12 at Albany. They said his vehicle ran off the road and crashed, and the driver died at the scene. ... more »

• One killed in East Baton Rouge crash

  October 2, 2012 9:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Emergency crews are responding to a fatal crash just outside city limits. Sources say a motorcyclist died in the wreck, near Jefferson and Highland. No other details were available. Stay with WBRZ.com and News2 for updates. more »

• One killed in wreck, road back open Play Video

  September 28, 2012 3:21 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - State highway 73 in Ascension Parish re-opened this afternoon after being closed for nine hours after a three-vehicle wreck which killed a Prairieville woman. State Police said the wreck happened around 6:30 a.m. on La. 73 north of Airline Highway. They said Carolyn Brulliette, 56, died in... more »

• Road remains closed after three-vehicle wreck

  September 28, 2012 7:51 AM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - A state highway near Prairieville remained closed as authorities continued clearing a three-vehicle wreck from earlier this morning. The wreck involved a cement truck and two other vehicles, and happened around 7 a.m. on La. 73 between Airline Highway and La. 42. The wreck closed La.... more »

• Louisiana gets $3.5M for highway debris removal

  September 6, 2012 7:07 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Louisiana a $3.5 million grant to help remove debris from highways and repair roads affected by Hurricane Isaac. U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu and David Vitter announced the grant Wednesday. The money is from DOT's Emergency Relief Grant Program. ... more »

• Highway report from state police

  August 31, 2012 10:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - State police report on highway condition in southeast Louisiana as of 10:30 a.m. Friday: Interstate 10 closed from Gramercy (exit 187) to I-310, both directions. Interstate 55 is now fully open, but exits between I-10 (LaPlace) and I-12 (Hammond) are closed. U.S. Highway 61 is now open... more »

• Vote on Livingston-Ascension toll route scheduled tonight Play Video

  August 23, 2012 5:45 PM

  LIVINGSTON- The Livingston Parish Council is scheduled to vote tonight on creating a toll authority for the Livingston Ascension Throughway. The project would provide drivers with an alternate route between Airline Highway and Interstate 12. Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks is optimistic the council will back the plan.... more »

• Clinton woman killed in EBR wreck

  July 11, 2012 4:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State Police investigated a two-vehicle wreck in East Baton Rouge Parish that killed a Clinton woman today. The wreck happened just after 10 a.m. on Liberty Road north of La. 64. Troopers said Nancy Pierce, 48, died at the scene. Investigators said a pickup driven... more »

• I-12 Expansion opens after three years of work Play Video

  June 12, 2012 5:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - After more than three years of construction and subsequent traffic delays, The Department of Transportation and Development has opened Interstate 12 between O'Neal Lane in East Baton Rouge Parish and Juban Road in Livingston Parish. "It's the best thing that I could ever wish for to... more »

• U.S. 190 reopens in Port Allen, evacuation lifted

  May 23, 2012 8:12 AM

  PORT ALLEN- All lanes are open on U.S. 190 at LA 983 (Bueche Road) in West Baton Rouge Parish. U.S. 190 was closed Monday morning after an explosion and fire at the Air Liquide plant. Crews extinguished the blaze Tuesday and are inspecting cylinders containing acetylene at the... more »

• Millon dollar bond set for accused highway shooter

  May 21, 2012 5:22 PM

  TUNICA - Bond was set at $1.25 million Monday for a north Mississippi man charged in a highway shooting case and another alleged attack. Authorities say 28-year-old James Willie remained in the Tunica County Jail after a Justice Court judge set bond during his initial court appearance. A sheriff's department... more »

• Motive in Mississippi highway shootings

  May 18, 2012 2:32 PM

  JACKSON - Authorities say robbery appears to be the motive of a suspect in a pair of killings that frightened motorists in northwestern Mississippi. Tunica County Sheriff K.C. Hamp said Friday that 28-year-old James D. Willie was arrested after the investigation of an alleged rape turned up evidence linking him... more »

• Suspect arrested in deadly Miss. highway shootings

  May 18, 2012 7:38 AM

  JACKSON, Miss. - A suspect in two deadly highway shootings in Mississippi is behind bars. Authorities say 28-year-old James Willie will be charged with capital murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault and rape. Earlier this month, two people were found dead either in or near their cars along two highways. Police... more »

• "Worst Roads" tested in Livingston Parish Play Video

  May 15, 2012 11:08 AM

  DENHAM SPRINGS- It's no secret some rural roads in Livingston Parish can be a serious headache. It's why News 2 used a unique experiment to test the bumpy roads in the area. Using a cup of water filled to the brim and taped down to the dashboard of a... more »

• Travel warning following deadly highway shootings

  May 14, 2012 6:02 PM

  HERNANDO - Mississippi police are keeping many details to themselves of two deadly shootings along Mississippi highways that authorities believe could be at the hands of someone posing as law enforcement who is pulling people over. DeSoto County district attorney John Champion said at a Monday news conference that specifics... more »

• Report details plans for new Ga. to Miss. highway

  February 14, 2012 6:39 AM

  MACON, Ga. - A federal report details plans for a possible new interstate highway that would move traffic from Augusta through central Georgia and Alabama to Natchez, Miss. In Georgia, one proposal calls for the interstate cutting through an area just south of Macon. No funding for the federal route... more »

• $43 million could be taken away from road improvements Play Video

  February 9, 2012 6:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Twenty cents from every gallon of gas goes to the Louisiana Highway Trust Fund to pay for road improvements and infrastructure. But the state's legislature wants to take $43 million away from that fund to help balance the budget. It leaves drivers and local leaders angry.... more »

• La. 665 re-opened; swamp fire still burning

  January 15, 2012 4:50 PM

  POINTE AUX CHENES, La. - State police closed Louisiana Highway 665 in Pointe-aux-Chenes for nearly four hours because smoke from a nearby swamp fire limited visibility. Authorities tell The Courier that firefighters cannot reach the blaze in woods behind the highway. The highway in Pointe-aux-Chenes was closed from about 6... more »

• One killed, one critical after crash overnight

  January 2, 2012 1:16 PM

  HOUMA - An early-morning crash killed one person and critcally injured another in southern Louisiana, according to State Police. Troopers in Houma said the one-vehicle crash happened around 2 a.m. today on LA 316 in the town of Gray. The vehicle, an SUV, went off the side of the... more »

• Police identify New Year's Day murder victim

  January 2, 2012 4:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Police released the identity today of a man shot and killed early New Year's Day in Baton Rouge. Cpl. L'Jean McKneely said Gregory Alexander, 22, was found shot on the 1900 block of 69th Avenue around 5 a.m. Sunday. EMS took Alexander to a local... more »

• Highway back open after crude oil tanker overturned

  November 28, 2011 8:17 AM

  JACKSON - State Police reported no oil spilled and roads are back open after a tanker truck carrying crude overturned this morning in East Feliciana Parish. The wreck shut down La. 432 for eleven hours while another truck was brought in to off-load the oil. News 2's Stephanie... more »

• Wreck on LA 64 kills Jackson woman

  October 27, 2011 1:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana State Police investigated a two-vehicle fatal crash on LA 64 east of US 61 Thursday morning that killed a Jackson, La. woman. Melinda Messer, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident which happened around 7 a.m. Police say Messer ran off... more »

• La. traffic deaths drop

  September 29, 2011 10:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says traffic deaths in the state last year dropped to their lowest level since Louisiana State University started reporting such data in 1984. The recently completed Louisiana Annual Traffic Records Data Report shows that 720 people were killed and 68,700 were... more »

• Plaquemines pumping storm water off highway

  September 5, 2011 3:40 PM

  MYRTLE GROVE, La.- Plaquemines Parish authorities say temporary pumps appeared to reduce water levels Monday, and they might not need to cut a hole in a levee to drain water that Tropical Storm Lee pushed onto a main highway. No homes were expected to be affected by the actions.... more »

• Bayou Manchac Cleanup Underway

  August 17, 2011 5:39 PM

  BAYOU MANCHAC- Work crews used heavy equipment to lift trash out of Bayou Manchac. Five dump truck loads of debris were taken from an near the Highway 73 bridge by midday. Ascension Parish officials say Bayou Manchac is listed as a scenic waterway. That means things like trees... more »

• Tractor trailer crashes, catches fire on LA 64

  July 4, 2011 8:14 AM

  ZACHARY- An accident involving a tractor trailer carrying crude oil has shut down LA 64 in both directions. The crash happened around 6:45 this morning on LA 64 at Joor Road. Witnesses tell News 2 the truck left the roadway and flipped over causing the truck to catch fire. They... more »

• DOTD to bid out Highway 73 widening

  June 28, 2011 5:59 PM

  ASCENSION - After a two-year delay, the Department of Transportation and Development will pick a company to widen Highway 73 from two to three lanes between Interstate 10 and Airline Highway. The total cost of the project is $15-million to $20-million of state money. The project hit a snag... more »

• Highway 42 to be four lanes

  June 27, 2011 5:14 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - Relief for drivers in Prairieville is coming soon. The Department of Transportation and Development plans to widen Highway 42 from Airline highway to just before Highway 44. The construction will include sidewalks and bike paths along with a median running the entire stretch of the project. ... more »

• Pipe bombs found in wreck

  June 27, 2011 3:20 PM

  LOCKPORT - State police say a pickup truck that crashed in Lockport on Monday contained 10 pipe bombs. The one-vehicle rollover crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on Louisiana Highway 308. Troopers said that when emergency crews were trying right the truck, they noticed the devices. Troopers said nine of... more »

• LA 1 closed while Corps opens more Morganza bays

  May 16, 2011 2:12 PM

  MORGANZA - State Police closed LA 1 over the Morganza Spillway for a few hours today while more bays were opened to let water into the Atchafalaya Basin. Gov. Jindal said earlier today that two more bays would be opened at Morganza, bringing the total of open bays to... more »

• Barge takes on water after hitting Hwy 190 bridge

  May 14, 2011 1:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Old Misssissippi River Bridge is back open after a loose barge struck it earlier today. Inspectors and divers found no damage to the bridge after it was hit, according to Sheriff Mike Cazes from West Baton Rouge Parish. Cazes said four barges broke loose... more »

• Fires destroy office, home in Baton Rouge

  January 24, 2011 11:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Two fires that happened within minutes of each other destroyed a home and a business office this weekend, according to the Baton Rouge Fire Department. The office of an auto repair shop at 7300 Scenic Highway was completely destroyed Sunday night, while investigators think a stove left... more »

• Louisiana fatal crashes down in 2010

  January 12, 2011 11:56 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana's roadways are getting safer. Preliminary numbers from State Police show, deaths on state highways are down 8% from 2009. Between 2007 and 2010, there has been a 23% decrease in fatal crashes. "Although one death is too many, we are encouraged by this significant... more »

• Airline, Plank closed after 18-wheeler turns over

  January 11, 2011 3:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE – An overturned 18-wheeler has closed the off ramp from Plank Road onto Airline Highway in north Baton Rouge. Curt Monte with the Baton Rouge Fire Department said the truck was carrying cardboard and other recycling material, and that a small fuel leak from the truck had been... more »

• Interstate reopens after wreck, 11-hour cleanup

  December 31, 2010 4:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The eastbound lanes of I-12 at the O'Neal exit are back open after an 18-wheeler wreck caused it to be closed most of the day. Louisiana State Police said the interstate opened after an 11-hour cleanup operation which started at 6 a.m. when a truck hauling... more »

• Drivers unharmed in fiery wreck on Hwy 1

  December 17, 2010 6:25 PM

  PLAQUEMINE- A fiery collision between an 18-wheeler and a dump truck caused a lot of damage, but little injury this morning. People could see the smoke billowing for miles after the wreck near a Dow Chemical plant. More than 50 firefighters were eventually called out to deal with the... more »

• Police: Camouflaged pedestrian hit by pickup

  November 24, 2010 11:03 AM

  GONZALES – A Prairieville man is in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle in Gonzales last night, according to city police. 44-year-old Demaric Carter was hit by a pickup while crossing Airline Highway just after 7 p.m. last night, and flown to a Baton Rouge hospital. Investigators say... more »

• Smoke detector saves family from early-morning fire

  November 13, 2010 2:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE – According to firefighters, a smoke detector saved a woman and her family members from harm during an early-morning house fire in north Baton Rouge. Crews were called to their home on 8883 Scenic Highway around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, and found the building’s front room engulfed in flames... more »

• BRPD: Victim in crash misidentified

  November 8, 2010 5:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The pedestrian believed to have been hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver last week is actually alive and well, according to police. Sgt. Don Kelly with the Baton Rouge Police Department said that EMS workers originally identified the victim in the Nov. 2 crash as... more »

• Funnel cloud reported in East Baton Rouge

  November 3, 2010 5:23 PM

  ZACHARY - Emergency officials shut down a section of Highway 19 near Zachary as a funnel cloud came through the area during the evening commute. Deputies reported the funnel may have reached the ground and started kicking up debris from trees and possibly a building. The highway was re-opened... more »

• Advocacy group pushing gasoline tax hike

  October 25, 2010 4:14 PM

  A highway advocacy group is pushing to raise Louisiana's 20-cent gasoline tax by another 10 cents per gallon, to pay for new roadwork and repairs. Driving Louisiana Forward, a coalition of highway contractors, consulting engineers and material suppliers, also wants lawmakers to back a $3 billion bond issue. The borrowing... more »

• DOTD wants public input on Hwy 42 tonight

  October 14, 2010 11:09 AM

  A highway in Ascension Parish known for accidents and congestion will be the topic of a public meeting tonight in Prairieville. DOTD is already planning to expand part of Hwy 42, between Hwy 44 and Airline Hwy, but would like public input on the project. People interested can... more »

• Two killed, two injured in early morning wreck

  September 24, 2010 11:39 AM

  Two men were killed and two more injured in a crash early this morning in St. John the Baptist Parish. According to State Police, a white pickup driven by 21-year-old Colby Landry of Pierre Part tried to pass at least one vehicle on Highway 3127 when it lost control.... more »

• Charter bus hits Texas highway barrier, 18 injured

  September 18, 2010 11:19 AM

  A charter bus struck a highway barrier after leaving Dallas early Saturday morning, injuring 18 people, including one seriously. The bus left Dallas and was headed to Oklahoma City when it crashed just after midnight near Vanger, about 50 miles north of Dallas, said Trooper Lonny Haschel of the Texas... more »

• Bicyclist killed in Iberville crash

  July 26, 2010 11:21 AM

  A Plaquemine man on a bike, was struck and killed in Iberville Parish last night. It all happened on LA 75 north of LA 404, just after 10:00p.m. State Police tell News 2, the biker swerved into the highway, directly into the path of a Ford pickup truck.... more »

• Cows made a break for Freedom

  July 22, 2010 8:43 PM

  Some cows on the way to a slaughterhouse made a break for it when the truck transporting them overturned in Michigan. Police say the escapees hoofed it over highway guardrails, forced traffic to detour and caused at least one wreck. All but five of the wayward cows were rounded up.... more »

• New law gets rid of construction signs

  May 28, 2010 5:11 AM

  Signs describing the cost and scheduled completion date of highway construction will be done away with after Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the bill into law. The change was a cost-cutting move for the state transportation department, because the signs cost about $500 apiece. State transportation officials say information about highway... more »

• Hundreds of frogs close major Greek highway

  May 26, 2010 9:17 AM

  A horde of frogs has forced the closure of a key northern highway in Greece for two hours. The chief of traffic police in Thessaloniki says "millions" of the amphibians covered the tarmac Wednesday near the town of Langadas, some 12 miles east of Thessaloniki. Authorities closed the highway after... more »

• Opelousas road closed to right derailed train

  February 18, 2010 9:51 AM

  Part of Louisiana Highway 749, known in Opelousas as Railroad Ave., is closed while crews work to right a derailed freight train. Jim Herring of Union Pacific Railroad Co. says the 10 cars were carrying rocks for railroad track beds when they derailed Tuesday evening. Police Chief Perry Gallow said... more »

• U.S. 190 bridge improvements possible

  October 3, 2009 11:59 AM

  The U.S. 190 bridge over the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge may get an $80 million facelift. The initial contract to put together a plan for the facelift has been awarded to a Massachusetts company. Bridge improvements could start as early as 2011 although that could be delayed. Included... more »