GRAMERCY - One person is dead following an early morning crash on Airline Highway in St. James Parish.

Shortly before 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, troopers were called to a two-vehicle crash south on I-10. The crash claimed the life of 26-year-old Sean Thomas.

The initial investigation revealed that Thomas was driving in the left southbound lane on Airline Highway in a 2014 Ford E-450 box truck. At the same time, the driver of a 2011 tractor trailer was making a U-turn from the left southbound lane. 

For unknown reasons, Thomas' Ford struck the rear of the tractor trailer. Thomas suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash.

Impairment is not suspected for either driver, but standard toxicology samples were obtained for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

KATC reports that Thomas was a former UL Lafayette defensive back. He played from 2011-2014 and helped the team win four New Orleans Bowl championships.