| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 2909 | 2011-12-06 | Troop C | Three Vehicle Crash takes Life of Female Passenger |
| TROOP C NEWS RELEASE December 6th, 2011 Three Vehicle Crash takes Life of Female Passenger Lafourche Parish- This morning shortly after 10:00 am, Louisiana State Police Troop C investigated a three vehicle crash at the intersection of LA 3087 and LA 182 in Lafourche Parish. The three vehicle rear-end crash resulted in multiple injuries and the death of 63-year-old Bourg resident, Brenda Cunningham. Troopers’ investigation revealed that the crash occurred as a 2010 Ford F-250 pickup truck, driven by Jason Champagne (W/M age 39) of Houma, LA, was stopped for the red traffic signal on LA 3087 at its intersection with LA 182. Stopped directly behind the Ford F-250 was a 2006 Mitsubishi Raider pickup truck driven by Kenneth Cunningham (W/M age 63) of Bourg, LA. As both vehicles remained stopped at the intersection, the Mitsubishi pickup was rear-ended by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Curtis Taylor (W/M age 49) of Houston, TX. Upon impact, the Mitsubishi was pushed forward causing it to impact the rear of the Ford F-250. Champagne and front passenger in the Ford F-250, Wendy Champagne (W/F age 44) of Houma, LA, were transported to Chabert Medical Center with minor to moderate injuries. Both occupants were properly restrained at the time of the crash. Cunningham was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and was transported to Terrebonne General Medical Center with minor injuries. Front passenger in the Mitsubishi, Brenda Cunningham (W/F age 63), was improperly restrained at the time of the crash with the shoulder portion of the seatbelt under her arm. She was transported to Terrebonne General Medical Center where she was pronounced dead as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Taylor was wearing his seatbelt and was transported to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. Taylor was cited for Careless Operation with additional charges pending. Alcohol and/or drug use is not suspected to be a factor in the crash with the results of toxicology exam from all three drivers pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Seat belts are the most effective safety feature available in vehicles today. When a seat belt is worn correctly, it will apply most of the collision or stopping forces across the chest and pelvis, which are better able to withstand collision forces. Wearing a seat belt loosely or placing the shoulder belt under the arm or behind your back could result in an injury-producing impact with the vehicle interior or ejection from the vehicle. Wearing a lap belt across the stomach, instead of low across the hips, allows collision forces to be applied to the soft tissue of the body, increasing the chance of injury. While not all crashes are survivable, the proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Louisiana law requires every vehicle occupant, front seat and back seat, to be properly restrained day or night. Taking the time to buckle up every trip and every time is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.
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