| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 6982 | 2017-04-02 | Troop I | ***UPDATE*** St. Martin Parish Crash Leaves Three Dead Including a One Year Old Infant |
| TROOP I NEWS RELEASE April 2, 2017 ***UPDATE**** St. Martin Parish Crash Leaves Three Dead Including a One Year Old Infant ***A fourth person has died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Lakesha Leon, a 25 year old passenger from Lafayette, succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital. St. Martin Parish, LA – Shortly after 8:00 pm on April 1, 2017, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a two vehicle fatality crash on LA 353 near Rookery Road in St. Martin Parish. The crash claimed the lives of 47 year old Tyrone Mitchell, 41 year old James Pappillion and 1 year old Kishawn Leon, all of Lafayette. The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as 20 year old Paul Champagne of St. Martinville, was traveling northbound on LA 353 in a 2010 Ford 150 and struck the rear of a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier operated by Tyrone Mitchell. Troopers are still investigating to determine if the Chevrolet was stopped partially in the roadway, facing north. Paul Champagne was wearing a seat belt and sustained minor injuries. A juvenile in Champagne’s vehicle was not wearing a seat belt and sustained minor injuries. Both Champagne and his passenger refused medical aid on scene. Tyrone Mitchell was wearing a seat belt, but sustained fatal injuries. James Popillion and Kishawn Leon were both unrestrained and suffered fatal injuries. The St. Martin Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced all three dead on scene. A passenger, 25 year old Lakesha Leon was not wearing a seat belt and sustained severe injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Kearson Thomas, 29 of Lafayette, was also a passenger in the vehicle. Thomas was not wearing a seat belt and suffered moderate injuries. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. It is unknown if impairment is a factor in this crash but toxicology samples were taken from all drivers for analysis. This crash remains under investigation and will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review upon completion. Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. 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. | |||
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