Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Nov 13, 2007

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fatal crash on Lakeshore

Shreveport Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred about 2:50 p.m. this afternoon at Lakeshore and Portland.

Frank Blake Jr., 70, and his 67-year-old wife, Betsy, both of Shreveport, were traveling in their 1994 Ford Escort when they ran into an 18-wheeler that was pulling out of the Ryder Truck facility. At first, it was believed the 18-wheeler had pulled out in front of the car. However, it is now believed that the brakes on the Ford Escort failed, causing the car to run into the truck.

The Blake’s were rushed to LSU Hospital. However, Betsy died as a result of her injuries. Meanwhile, Frank Blake was listed in critical but stable condition. The driver of the 18-wheeler, 37-year-old Bradley Moore of the Cypress, Texas, was not injured. He was transported to the Shreveport Police Department for alcohol testing -- standard procedure in a fatal accident. The results were negative.

At this time it is believed that the accident was caused by mechanical failure, but the case remains under investigation.

 Information can be left with crimestoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the crimestoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews