| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 771 | 2010-06-09 | Troop A | Speed and Alcohol Impairment Suspected Factors in Child’s Death |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP A - NEWS RELEASE
Speed and Alcohol Impairment Suspected Factors in Child’s Death Lettsworth – Louisiana State Police Troop A investigated a fatal crash in Pointe Coupee Parish this morning on LA 1 south of LA 18 just after 7:00 am. Troopers’ investigation revealed that Ashley Jones (B/F, age 25) of Simmsport was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Impala north on LA 1 when she entered a left-hand curve and ran off the road to the right. Upon exiting the curve, the vehicle travelled through a ditch and began to roll over, ejecting two small children who were not restrained in the vehicle. Keondre Edwards (B/F, age 2) of Simmsport was pronounced dead on the scene by the Pointe Coupee Parish Coroner’s Office. The other small child, a 3-year-old black female, sustained moderate injuries in the crash and was taken to Avoyelles General Hospital. Jones was also transported to Avoyelles General Hospital with serious injuries. The two children involved in the crash were in the back seat of the Impala at the time the crash occurred. The children were not in any type of child safety seats, nor were they even buckled in the back seat. According to Louisiana State Law, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that every child under the age of thirteen is properly secured in the vehicle. Both the children involved in this crash should have been restrained in forward-facing child safety seats. Troopers suspect that both alcohol and speed were factors in the crash. Troopers have submitted a sample of Jones’ blood to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis. Currently, Jones is charged with Careless Operation and Failure to Restrain a Child (2 counts). More charges may follow, pending the outcome of toxicology tests being performed on Jones’ blood. Drunk drivers and lack of seat belt and child restraint use account for the majority of fatal crashes in Louisiana every year. There is NEVER a good reason for an impaired person to get behind the wheel of an automobile. While seat belt and child restraint use is on the rise in Louisiana, there is still a lot of work to be done. Troopers will continue to aggressively enforce Louisiana’s passenger restraint laws and DWI laws to ensure the public’s safety. In addition, Louisiana State Police Troop A serves as a grant-funded Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Fitting Station, where Troopers inspect and install car seats for individuals at no charge. The Troopers are Certified CPS Technicians through the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program. This program is run by the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force. Troopers at Troop A are available to inspect and install child safety seats on Thursdays from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm. Anyone needing assistance with the inspection or installation of a car seat is encouraged to come in and meet with a CPS Technician. There are also programs available to those individuals who may not be able to afford a child safety seat. Contact Information: TFC Russell G. Graham II Public Affairs Unit Louisiana State Police – Troop A Office: (225) 754-8524 russell.graham@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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