Louisiana State Police Troop A investigated a single vehicle fatal crash that claimed the life of an unrestrained and suspected impaired driver in West Baton Rouge Parish, said TFC Russell G. Graham II. The crash occurred on La. Hwy. 987-3 east of La. Hwy. 415 shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday morning.

Troopers’ preliminary investigation revealed that Mark Ramoin, 39, of Prairieville, was driving a 1998 GMC pickup south on La. 987-3 when he ran off the roadway to the right and ran into the ditch, Graham said.

The pickup overturned several times and struck a utility pole. Ramoin, who was not restrained at the time of the crash, was partially ejected and sustained fatal injuries, said Tpr. Graham.

LSP Troopers suspect alcohol impairment to have been a factor in the crash, Graham said.

Nearly half of all the fatal crashes in Louisiana last year involved driver impairment.

Troopers see the devastating effects of drinking and driving across the state day after day. The poor decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle impaired is often coupled with the poor decision to not buckle up. This combination of poor decisions proves deadly all too often.

Motorists are urged to help in the fight against drunk driving by making good decisions every day, such as NEVER driving impaired, ALWAYS buckling up, NEVER getting into a vehicle with an impaired driver, and NEVER allowing an impaired driver to get behind the wheel.