| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 3975 | 2015-05-10 | Troop E | Improperly Restrained Toddler Killed in Crash |
TROOP E NEWS RELEASE May 10, 2015 Improperly Restrained Toddler Killed in Crash Vernon Parish – On the night of Friday, May 8, 2015, a crash involving two vehicles seriously injured two very young children that were not properly restrained in age appropriate child seats. The youngest of the two later succumbed to her injuries. Troopers responded to the crash around 9:12 p.m., which occurred on US Hwy 171 at Jeane Chapel Road. The crash involved a 2005 Dodge Neon, driven by Josee R. Curtis (W/F 21 yrs) of Leesville, LA and a 2015 Dodge pickup, driven by Jordan L. Ford (W/M 24 yrs) of Center, TX. The Neon was entering US Hwy 171, from Jeane Chapel Road, preparing to cross the northbound lanes and turn southbound when the crash occurred. The action of Curtis, entering the northbound lane, placed her vehicle in the direct path of the northbound Dodge pickup. Ford attempted to avoid the collision, but was not successful. Curtis was wearing her seat belt and received minor injuries. She refused medical attention. There were three very young children in Curtis’ vehicle when the crash occurred. They are identified as Crimson Oikle (3 yrs) of Leesville, a five year old, and a one year old. Oikle and the five year old were wearing seat belts, but were not properly restrained in age appropriate child seats. Both received serious injuries and were transported to Rapides Regional Medical Center for treatment. On Saturday, May 9, 2015 Oikle was pronounced dead. The one year old was properly restrained and received minor injuries. Ford was wearing his seat belt and was not injured. Curtis has been initially charged with failure to yield. Routine toxicology tests are pending. The crash remains under investigation. 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 Although the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, Troopers would like to remind the public of the following: inattentive and distracted driving is dangerous and is a leading cause of crashes in our state. It is important for motorists to pay attention to what is going on outside of the vehicle they are driving. More information on distracted driving may be found online at the federal government’s official distracted driving website, www.distraction.gov. Troop E Troopers have investigated thirteen fatal crashes in 2015, resulting in eighteen 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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