SAINT FRANCISVILLE, La. (WAFB/Gray News) – A chef in Louisiana was killed after a tree fell on his vehicle, causing him to run off the road over the weekend.
Louisiana State Police said 50-year-old Jaime Hernandez was identified as the single vehicle of the crash.
Troopers said they responded to the single-vehicle crash in West Feliciana Parish just after 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Hernandez was a well-loved chef at the St. Francisville Inn.
The inn shared a heartfelt post on social media about the loss of their cherished team member.
In the post, the inn announced the “tragic passing” of Hernandez.
“Jaime was a cherished member of the St. Francisville Inn family, and we are devastated by this tragic news,” the post reads. “Please keep Chef Jaime’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this time. Rest in Peace [ November 12, 1974 – January 5, 2025 ].”
A preliminary investigation into the crash revealed that a 2014 Jeep Wrangler, driven by Hernandez, was traveling eastbound on LA 965.
For reasons that are still under investigation, a tree fell just as Hernandez passed by it. The falling tree hit a part of the Jeep, which caused the vehicle to run left off the roadway, where it hit multiple other trees.
State Police said Hernandez was not wearing a seat belt and had suffered serious injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
It’s not known whether Hernandez was impaired at the time. A standard toxicology sample will be taken and submitted for analysis.
Officials said inclement weather may have been a factor in the crash.
The accident remains under investigation.
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