| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 8688 | 2010-07-12 | Troop L | Unrestrained Child killed in I-55 Crash |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP L NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release July 12th, 2010 Unrestrained Child killed in I-55 Crash Hammond – Today at 10:57 am, Louisiana State Police Troop L investigated a three vehicle fatality crash on Interstate 55 north of Interstate 12 in Tangipahoa Parish. The crash occurred as Robin Warford, (B/F age 23) of Hammond, LA, was traveling south on Interstate 55 in a 1993 Lincoln Continental. A 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by Piper Thibodeaux (W/F age 34) of Baton Rouge, LA, was traveling north on I-55. Traveling behind the Chevrolet Cavalier was a 1995 Toyota Corolla, driven by Oscar Rivas (H/M age 24) of Amite, LA. Preliminary investigation revealed that the right rear tire of the Lincoln Continental blew out prior to the crash, causing Warford, for unknown reasons, to lose control of the vehicle and enter the center median of Interstate 55. Upon leaving the roadway, the Lincoln rotated in a counterclockwise manner and overturned ejecting the unrestrained 3 year old passenger. The Lincoln then entered the northbound lanes of I-55 where it was impacted by the Chevrolet Cavalier and the Toyota Corolla. Upon further inspection of the Lincoln Continental, troopers discovered that all four tires on the vehicle were dangerously worn down and unsafe for interstate travel. The 3 year old juvenile was seated in the front passenger seat of the Lincoln Continental. The child was in neither the vehicle’s lap/shoulder belt nor a proper child safety seat at the time of the crash. The juvenile was transported to and pronounced dead at North Oaks Hospital due to injuries sustained in the crash. Warford was wearing a seatbelt and received only minor injuries in the crash. After being treated for her injuries, she was booked at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail charged with Driving Under Suspension, Defective Vehicle Equipment, Careless Operation, No Child Restraint, and Negligent Homicide. Alcohol use is not suspected by Warford with a toxicology test pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Thibodeaux was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and suffered minor injuries. Alcohol use is not suspected with the results of toxicology test pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Rivas was also wearing a seatbelt and was not injured in the crash. He submitted to a breath alcohol test registering a .000g% BAC. Louisiana State Law requires that children under the age of thirteen are properly restrained in the rear seat of a vehicle. Children under the age of six are required to be in an age and weight appropriate child safety seat. Louisiana State Police Troop L serves as a 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. Troopers at Troop L are available to inspect and install child safety seats every Wednesday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 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 Nick Manale Public Affairs Unit Troop L Louisiana State Police Office: (985) 893-6250 Nicholas.Manale@dps.la.gov www.LSP.org | |||
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