| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3793 | 2015-07-24 | Troop E | Unrestrained Young Child Killed in Crash |
TROOP E NEWS RELEASE July 24, 2015 Unrestrained Young Child Killed in Crash Rapides Parish – Early this afternoon, a single vehicle crash killed a young child that was not properly restrained in an age appropriate child seat. Three other occupants received minor to moderate injuries with a total of eight occupants in the vehicle. Only one of the occupants was possibly restrained, but the investigation remains open. Troopers responded to the crash around 2:20 p.m., which occurred on LA Hwy 498 west of LA Hwy 1. The crash involved a 2003 Ford Expedition, driven by Marquita A. Batiste (B/F 31 yrs) of Alexandria, LA. The Ford was westbound on LA Hwy 498 when Batiste attempted to pass a vehicle after entering a curve. She then lost control and exited the left side of the roadway before the vehicle began overturning. Batiste was transported to Rapides Regional Trauma Center with minor injuries. Amaria Lachney (B/F 4 yrs) of Alexandria was ejected during the crash. She was transported to Rapides Regional Trauma Center where she was pronounced dead. Batiste was charged with reckless operation of a vehicle, negligent homicide, negligent injuring (2 counts), no seat belt, and no child restraint (4 counts). Routine toxicology tests are pending. Louisiana State Police would like to take this opportunity to remind/inform motorists that properly wearing your seat belt and properly restraining your children in car seats will dramatically reduce your chance of being injured or killed in a crash. We ask you to take one second to “buckle up!” Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Not wearing a seat belt remains the leading cause of death in motor vehicle crashes. For very specific and the safest guidelines regarding child safety seats please visit the American Academy of Pediatrics https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/state-advocacy/documents/child_passenger_safety_slr.pdf For Louisiana law regarding child safety seats please visit https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=88231 To have your child safety seat properly installed, contact your local LSP Public Information Officer at http://lsp.org/public.html Troop E Troopers have investigated 20 fatal crashes in 2015, resulting in 25 fatalities. Contact Information: M/T Daniel “Scott” Moreau Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section – Troop E Office: (318) 769-9USA (872) scott.moreau@la.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice | |||
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