Kaplan Volunteer Firefighters Killed in Wreck Responding to Emergency

(KPEL News) - A tragedy unfolded Friday afternoon on Louisiana Highway 14 near West Pirates Lane when a single-vehicle crash claimed the life of a volunteer firefighter who was heading to a call for service.

Volunteer Firefighter Killed Responding to an Emergency Identified

Trooper conducted their preliminary investigation at the scene, and according to Trooper Roy Jones with the Public Affairs Section of State Police, the crash claimed the life of 49-year-old Robert Hughes of Kaplan.

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A Wreck on Highway 14 Claimed the Life of a Volunteer Firefighter

The volunteer firefighter was headed down Louisiana Highway 14 to the emergency call when, for reasons unknown at this time, Hughes lost control of his car in a curve in the roadway.

READ MORE: LOUISIANA MAN DIES AFTER HIS MOTORCYCLE CRASHED INTO A CULVERT

Louisiana State Police Say a Volunteer Firefighter and Passenger Were Not Restrained

As the driver lost control, the vehicle went into a ditch. Jones says that Hughes was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the impact, and he was thrown out of the vehicle. Hughes was severely injured and was taken to a hospital.

Hughes died at the hospital. Hughes' passenger was also unrestrained at the time of impact and was ejected from the vehicle. The passenger was also severely injured and was taken to the hospital.

Impairment Is Not Suspected in Volunteer Firefighter Crash

Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this crash, but as standard procedure, routine toxicology samples were taken for lab analysis.

The crash happened Friday just after 3 p.m. The investigation is ongoing.