Port Allen, LA : 74-year-old Plaquemine driver killed in crash on La. 1 on Thursday, 22nd August 2019

A Plaquemine man was killed Thursday morning after his pickup truck struck a commercial truck that had crossed into his path on LA 1 in Port Allen, authorities said.

The Louisiana State Police said troopers responded to the wreck just after 5:30 a.m. along LA 1 near Beaulieu Lane.

Officials said Thomas Cloninger, 74, of Plaquemine, was driving north when he his truck hit the back of a 2017 Western Star truck, which had stopped at the median and was blocking a part of the northbound lane.

Cloninger suffered fatal injuries, and investigators weren't sure if he had been wearing a seat belt because his pickup was too badly damaged to make that determination.State Police cited the Western Star driver, Keandre Hill, 33, of Baton Rouge, for violating stop sign laws. The violation carries a maximum $5,000 fine in cases involving a death.

Hill didn't appear to be under to be impaired after taking a breath test, police said.

The crash caused heavy delays in the area ahead of the morning rush hour. Crews were able to clear the crash just before 7:30 a.m.

State Police said they are continuing to investigate the wreck.

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