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Airman dies on I-49 near Cheneyville exit

Posted at 4:30 PM, Oct 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-28 17:30:55-04

State Police are investigating a crash that left an active duty member of the Air Force dead on Interstate 49.

Eduardo Ramos Jr., 22, was assigned to Security Forces at Barksdale Air Force Base. He died after his vehicle crashed on Interstate 49, setting off a series of events, a Troop E spokesman said.

Ramos was southbound on I-49 near the exit when he lost control of his vehicle and struck the overpass bridge rail, the spokesman said. His car was disabled in the southbound, inside lane of the highway on the overpass that crosses La. 181, the spokesman said.

A St. Landry woman stopped her car behind him to help. Then an 18-wheeler rig, driven by a man from Minnesota, came along and hit both the cars, the spokesman said. A pedestrian who was in the area, a Bunkie man, was struck by debris from that crash.

After the impact, Ramos got out of his vehicle and either jumped or fell from the overpass onto the highway – a 25-foot drop, the trooper said. After he hit the highway, a northbound car, driven by a Cheneyville teenager, struck him, the trooper said.

Ramos is suspected of being impaired, the spokesman said.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  It is unknown if he died from the fall or after being struck by the car, the trooper said.

None of the other drivers involved in the crash, are suspected of being impaired.

The pedestrian received minor injuries and was transported to Bunkie General Hospital.

The woman who stopped to help, and her two passengers were wearing their seat belts.  All three were transported to Bunkie General Hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the rig wasn’t injured. The teenager and his passenger were wearing their seat belts.  They were not injured.

Routine toxicology tests are pending.  The crash remains under investigation.