| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3230 | 2021-05-07 | Troop D | Passenger Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash |
TROOP D NEWS RELEASE May 7, 2021 Passenger Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash Bell City – On May 7, 2021, shortly after 3:15 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of LA Hwy 14 and Fruge Road in Calcasieu Parish. The crash claimed the life of 69-year-old Linda Nelson Gardner of Lake Charles. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2016 Ford F250 pickup truck, driven by 48-year-old Michial Dewayne Temple of Norwood, was traveling east on LA Hwy 14 and approaching Fruge Road. At the same time, the driver of a 2011 Kia Optima was traveling west on LA Hwy 14. Temple failed to yield to oncoming traffic while turning left onto Fruge Road and turned into the path of the Kia. The Kia struck the right side of the Ford. Gardner, who was the front seat passenger in the Kia, was properly restrained. She suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Kia, who was properly restrained, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a Lake Charles area hospital by air ambulance. Temple was properly restrained and was not injured. The front and rear seat passengers in Temple’s vehicle were not properly restrained. The rear seat passenger sustained minor injuries and was transported to a Lake Charles area hospital. The front seat passenger was not injured. A toxicology sample was obtained from Temple and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation. Troopers remind motorists to always look and make sure it is clear before pulling into traffic or turning at intersections. Always watch vehicles as they approach and gauge the distance they are covering as they approach. Keep your focus on the road. It only takes a fraction of a second for a crash to occur. Troop D has investigated 10 fatal crashes resulting in 10 deaths in 2021. Contact Information: | |||
| No attachments for this article. | |||