Aggrostats

The initial investigation by State Police revealed the crash occurred as Trimm was driving a 2009 Hyundai Elantra east on LA Highway 1252 and crossed into the westbound lane of travel. A 2009 GMC Sierra driven by 22 year old Joey Stelly of Carencro was traveling west on LA Highway 1252 and attempted to avoid impact with Trimm’s vehicle. Trimm’s vehicle struck Stelly’s truck nearly head on. After impact, Trimm’s vehicle came to rest in the eastbound lane of travel and Stelly’s vehicle went off of the north side of the roadway.

Trimm and her front seat passenger, 26 year old Ronnie Touchet of Breaux Bridge, were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Trimm’s 7 year old son was a passenger in the rear of the vehicle and was not wearing a seat belt. Kristen Trimm and her son Branson Taylor were pronounced dead on scene by the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office. Touchet was transported to a local hospital with severe injuries. Stelly was not wearing a seat belt and was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries

Driver impairment is unknown at this time. A toxicology sample was taken from Trimm and Stelly and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.

Crashes are the leading cause of death and serious injury for children in the United States. Many injuries and deaths can be prevented by properly using child safety seats. Louisiana State Law requires the driver of a motor vehicle to ensure that EVERY child under the age of thirteen is properly seat belted, regardless of seating position, in the vehicle. It is the responsibility of every parent and caregiver to ensure that the children under their care are as safe as they can possibly be at all times. While riding in a motor vehicle, the best way to do this is to ensure the child is properly restrained in a child restraint system or seat belt.

Troopers would like to remind motorists that seat belt usage is required by Louisiana law for all occupants of a vehicle. The primary purpose of a seat belt is to keep the occupant in the seating position preventing ejection. A seat belt also protects the internal organs, brain and spinal cord by spreading the crash forces across the strongest bones in the body and allowing the body to decelerate at a slower rate. Please ensure that all occupants are properly buckled, this will limit injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash.

Buckle Up Louisiana, It’s the Law!!