DeRidder, LA (September 1, 2026) – A 62-year-old DeRidder man died on Sunday afternoon, August 30, after a car left the roadway and struck him while he was washing his vehicle at a car wash on East 1st Street, according to the DeRidder Police Department. Jeffery Garner was hit around 1:30 p.m. when a westbound Chevrolet Camaro left the road and entered the car wash’s lot.
Garner was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. The Camaro’s driver and passenger were taken to a Lake Charles-area hospital for treatment. A toxicology sample was taken from the driver, who had not been identified as of Monday. The investigation remains ongoing.
Our condolences go out to Garner’s family and loved ones.
Why Do Investigators Examine Why a Vehicle Left the Roadway in Cases Like This?
When a car leaves the road and strikes something off the pavement, understanding the reason matters just as much as documenting the impact itself. Possible explanations range from a mechanical failure to distraction to a medical event, and investigators typically avoid settling on one without supporting evidence.
Businesses set back from a roadway, like a car wash, aren’t usually built to withstand a vehicle traveling at road speed, which is part of why even a short departure from the pavement can have serious consequences for anyone nearby. The lack of a barrier or buffer zone leaves little margin for error once a vehicle veers off course.
A toxicology sample, as collected here, is a standard step that helps rule in or out impairment as a contributing factor. Combined with a mechanical inspection of the vehicle and any available witness accounts, this evidence helps investigators build a complete picture of what caused the departure from the road.
