Five individuals are dead following a traffic wreck in Louisiana, including one person from Baton Rouge. Investigators with the Louisiana State Police say the fatal car accident occurred shortly before 3:00 a.m. when a Jeep that was traveling in the wrong direction in the westbound lanes of I-10 collided head-on with an oncoming sedan. The Jeep then reportedly burst into flames, killing the driver. All four occupants of the sedan, ranging in age from 19 to 30, were killed in the accident.

An officer with the LSP said that the backseat passengers of the sedan were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, but that the driver and front passenger were properly restrained. While police were able to identify the four victims in the sedan relatively quickly, they have been unable to confirm the identity of the Jeep's driver. Investigators are currently waiting for the results of an autopsy, after which they will likely be able to release the driver's name.

Following the initial collision, troopers say a tractor-trailer sideswiped one of the wrecked vehicles. A fourth vehicle then struck the tractor-trailer. The drivers of both vehicles sustained minor injuries that did not appear to have required extensive medical treatment.

Officers from the LSP reportedly received calls regarding the Jeep driving the wrong way on the highway shortly before the accident. Investigators have not yet determined where the driver may have entered the highway illegally. The LSP closed the westbound lanes of the I-10 for almost five hours following the crash in order to conduct its investigation and clear debris from the roadway.

The families of the victims in this tragedy are undoubtedly trying to cope with the loss of their loved ones. One of the issues they will now need to contend with is the cost of funeral expenses as well as any lost wages that their loved one may have contributed to the household. All of these costs may be able to be recuperated against the driver responsible for the fatal collision.

Source: CBS News, "5 killed in wrong-way crash on I-10 in Louisiana," Feb. 11, 2012