| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 107 | 2017-12-23 | Troop A | Unrestrained 2 Year Old Dead and 10 Injured in East Baton Rouge Parish Crash |
TROOP A NEWS RELEASE December 23, 2017 Unrestrained 2 Year Old Dead and 10 Injured in East Baton Rouge Parish Crash Zachary – Shortly before 6:00 pm on December 22, 2017, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a three vehicle crash resulting in a fatality on US 61 south of LA 64 in East Baton Rouge Parish. The crash took the life of 2 year old Christian Johnson of Zachary. The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as 38 year old Clara Peterson of Zachary was traveling southbound on US 61 in a 2015 Nissan Altima. Peterson began slowing to make a right turn from the right lane of US 61. A 2009 Chevrolet Impala driven by 28 year old Keshon Forest of Zachary also began slowing in the right lane behind Peterson’s vehicle. For reasons still under investigation, a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 32 year old James Lopresto Jr. of Greenwell Springs failed to reduce its speed and struck the rear of Forest’s vehicle. The impact pushed Forest’s vehicle forward causing it to strike Peterson’s vehicle. Two year old Christian Johnson was a passenger in Forest’s vehicle. He was unrestrained at the time of the crash and sustained fatal injuries. Forest and the four additional passengers in her vehicle sustained moderate injuries. Peterson and the three additional passengers in her vehicle also sustained moderate injuries in the crash. Lopresto sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this crash, but a toxicology sample will be taken from Forest, Peterson, and Lopresto for analysis. This crash remains under investigation and charges are pending. Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. All children under the age of 6, weighing fewer than 60 pounds, must also be restrained in a weight and age appropriate seat. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death. For more information on Child Passenger Safety, visit http://www.lahighwaysafety.org/child.html. Contact Information: | |||
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