VACHERIE--About 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, a Thibodaux man was killed in a head-on crash on La. Hwy. 20 in St. James Parish after his vehicle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on, reports Louisiana State Police Trooper First Class Evan Harrell.

The LSP investigation revealed that a 2007 Ford Ranger was traveling north on La. 20 around St. Patrick Street in St. James Parish. The Ranger was being driven by Tommy Thibodaux, 24, of Thibodaux.

For unknown reasons, the Ranger crossed the center line and struck a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado truck that was traveling south on La. 20, Harrell said.

The Silverado was being driven by Gerald Torres, 61, of Vacherie.

Thibodaux, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead on the scene by the St. James Parish Coroner’s Office, said TFC Harrell.

Torres was wearing a seat belt but was flown to University Hospital in New Orleans with moderate injuries.

Alcohol use is not suspected to be a factor in the crash, reports Harrell.

Routine toxicology tests are pending for Thibodaux.

Blood was taken from Torres and the test results will be pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab.

This crash remains under investigation.

While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury.

Louisiana law requires every vehicle occupant, front seat and back seat, to be properly restrained day or night.

Taking the time to buckle up every trip and every time is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.

Motorists who witness hazardous situations are urged to call *LSP (*577) and report that activity to the Louisiana State Police.