(Calcasieu Parish)– On March 17, 2019, at 3:46 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 about five and a half miles west of Sulphur, La. The crash claimed the life of 50-year-old Ricky James Broussard of Pasadena, Texas.

The initial investigation revealed a 2014 Dodge Challenger driven by 25-year-old Sandy N. Deleon of McAllen Texas was traveling west on I-10 at a high rate of speed and struck the rear of a 2003 Ford pickup truck driven by 56-year-old Cynthia A. Broussard of Pasadena Texas. The impact caused both drivers to lose control of their vehicles. The Dodge ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a guardrail before coming to a stop. The Ford pickup truck ran off the right side of the roadway and struck the left guardrail causing the unrestrained rear passenger to be ejected from the vehicle.

The unrestrained passenger, Ricky Broussard, was transported to West Cal-Cam Hospital with serious injuries where he later died. Both drivers were properly restrained but Cynthia Broussard sustained moderate injuries. Deleon, the driver of the Dodge, was not injured.  

Further investigation revealed Deleon was impaired at the time of the crash. Deleon was arrested and transported to Troop D for processing. 

Upon arrival at Troop D, Deleon provided a breath sample revealing a blood alcohol content almost two and a half times the legal limit. Deleon was charged with DWI first offense, vehicular homicide, vehicular negligent injuring, careless operation, and driving under suspension. She was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. More charges could be added to Deleon.

The crash remains under investigation.