| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 7123 | 2014-07-06 | Troop I | Troopers Arrest Opelousas Man for Vehiclular Homicide Following Single Vehicle Fatal Crash |
TROOP I NEWS RELEASE July 6, 2014 Troopers Arrest Opelousas Man for Vehicular Homicide Following Single Vehicle Fatal Crash St. Landry ParishA- single vehicle crash on LA Highway 105 north of Krotz Springs has claimed the life of a Lawtell woman, left another adult female in a Baton Rouge hospital with critical injuries, and a 7-year-old child in a local hospital with moderate injuries. The driver of the vehicle, 28-year-old Nicholas Lafleur of Opelousas, LA, was placed under arrest suspected to be impaired at the time of the crash. Preliminary investigation revealed that the crash occurred as Lafleur was traveling south on LA 105 in a 2005 Chevrolet truck. As Lafleur continued southbound, he failed to maintain control of the vehicle causing it to drift across the centerline of the roadway. Lafleur then overcorrected to the right causing the Chevrolet truck to travel off the west side of the highway and strike a tree before coming to rest. Neither Lafleur nor his passengers, 54-year-old Judy Stelly of Opelousas, 41-year-old Andrea Lacombe of Walker, and a 7-year-old child were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Stelly was transported to Opelousas General where she was later pronounced dead. Lacombe was transported to a hospital in Baton Rouge where she remains in critical condition. The 7-year-old child was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. Lafleur received minor injuries and is suspected to have been impaired at the time of the crash. Lafleur submitted to a breath alcohol test registering over the legal limit. He was booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail for DWI, Vehicular Homicide, two counts Vehicular Negligent Injuring, Reckless Operation, and two counts of No Seatbelt. This crash remains under investigation. Impairment and lack of seat belt use continues to be leading factors in fatal crashes throughout Acadiana. Wearing a seat belt properly can greatly reduce a person’s risk of injury in most crashes. Seat belts allow crash forces to be spread across a large area of the body allowing a person to ride down the crash. Unrestrained persons are at a greater risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries in a crash than a person who is restrained. Buckle up every time in every seating position. Not only is it the law, but it’s the best way to survive a crash.
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