The crash claimed the life of 22-year-old Curtis Collins of Baton Rouge. State police said the accident happened on Friday, Dec. 6 around 9 p.m. on I-10 E near milepost 211. They said the driver of a 2012 Mazda 6 stopped in the left lane with their lights on.

The driver was standing outside in front of the car while a passenger in the front seat stayed in the car. Troopers said a 2017 Nissan Sentra traveling east on I-10 approached the Mazda and struck the vehicle's rear. The impact pushed the Mazda forward, hit the driver, and sent them over the guardrail into a marsh.

The passenger, later identified as Collins, was not wearing a seatbelt and died on the scene. The driver who fell into the marsh was rescued by St. John The Baptist Parish Fire Department. They suffered minor injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital.

State police said the driver of the Nissan was wearing a seatbelt, suffered minor injuries, and was also taken to the hospital.

Impairment is unknown; routine toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.