An East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy is dead following a single vehicle crash in Zachary around 6:30 this morning. 42-year-old Lt. Steven Whitstine was on his way to work when his car veered off of Pride Port Hudson Road. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says the accident is still under investigation.
“For some reason, he veered off the road and he struck a tree and then struck a bridge, his vehicle overturned and was upside down in a canal,” said Gautreaux.
Whitstine worked with the K-9 division and had spent eight years with the Sheriff’s Department and more than nine years with Baker Police prior to that.
Gautreaux says he will be sorely missed by many.
“He was a dedicated public servant, good father, good husband, and he’s going to be greatly missed. My heart breaks for his wife, Deputy Elisha Whitstine, who also works with the Sheriff’s office,” said Geutreaux.
Gauthreaux says he worked with Whitstine for many years and has fond memories of the man behind the badge.
“Steven prided himself as, what he thought, he was an Elvis impersonator. So, yes, he was a singer, he could sing, and he could sing better than he could impersonate,” said Gautreaux through a little bit of laughter.
Whitstine’s K-9 partner, Sixx, was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash and is being treated for minor injuries.
