Unrestrained driver, passenger killed in Beauregard crash

Louisiana State Police Troop D are investigating a single-vehicle fatality crash that happened Friday night on U.S. 171 near Willow Branch Road in Beauregard Parish. Trooper Matt Gaspard said the crash claimed the lives of 59-year-old Ellory “Butch” Burgess Jr. of Longville and 29-year-old Cody Goode of Dry Creek. Gadpard said Burgess was driving a 2000 Peterbilt dump truck southbound on U.S. 171 near Willow Branch Road when the dump truck left the roadway to the right and traveled through a ditch where it turned onto its right side. “The dump truck continued sliding into a wooded tree line where it struck several trees,” Gaspard said. “Both Burgess and Goode were un-restrained at the time of the crash and were ejected from the vehicle. They received fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene.” Gaspard said a juvenile passenger, who was also unrestrained at the time of the crash, was partially ejected and transported to an area hospital with moderate injuries. Standard toxicology samples were collected and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation. Troop D has investigated 8 fatal crashes resulting in 9 fatalities in 2024.