Shortly before 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning, state police were notified of a crash on Interstate 10 westbound near milepost 94, east of Duson.  The crash took the life of 92 year old Lillard Payne of Lafayette.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Payne was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche westbound on Interstate 10 in the right lane.  While traveling west, Payne’s vehicle struck a 2001 GMC Yukon from behind.  The Yukon, operated by 35 year old Willie Jeff of Gray, was stopped in the right lane, due to a prior crash on Interstate 10.  Payne suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead on scene by the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office.  Jeff sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Lafayette General Hospital by Acadian Ambulance.  Both Jeff and Payne were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

Impairment is not believed to be a factor in the crash.  Toxicology samples were taken from Payne and Jeff and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.      

This was the 26^th Fatal Crash and the 27^th Fatality investigated by Troop I in 2015.