| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 937 | 2008-12-26 | Troop A | Hit and Run Leaves One Dead, One Seriously Injured on Christmas Morning, Update |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent TROOP A - NEWS RELEASE
Hit and Run Leaves One Dead, One Seriously Injured on Christmas Morning UPDATE – The driver of the Ford pickup, who has identified himself as Antonio Morales, is in custody at the Ascension Parish Prison. Ascension Parish Detectives located Morales this morning and arrested him. Louisiana State Police has charged Morales with Vehicular Homicide, First Degree Vehicular Negligent Injuring (2 counts), Felony Hit and Run, Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, DWI, and Operating a vehicle without lawful presence in the United States. State Police has identified the suspect as Antonio Arias (H/M, age 38) of Gonzales. BATON ROUGE – A head-on collision on Airline Highway (US 61) north of Gonzales killed one woman and seriously injured another shortly before 3:00 a.m. this morning. A Ford pickup was traveling south in the northbound lane of US 61 when it struck a Honda Civic head on. The driver of the pickup fled the scene on foot after the crash occurred. Louisiana State Troopers are working with Baton Rouge City Police K-9 units and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Deputies to locate the suspected driver of the pickup. Antonio Morales (H/M, age 32) of Gonzales is suspected to have been driving the pickup when the crash occurred. The driver of the pickup was properly restrained and was able to flee the scene on foot. The pickup was traveling south on US 61 in the northbound inside lane when it struck a Honda Civic head on. Chelsea Cowart (W/F, age 20) of Maurepas was driving the Civic, traveling north on US 61 in the northbound inside lane, when her vehicle was struck by the pickup. She was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge with minor/moderate injuries. Sharie York (W/F, age 23) of Pearl, MS, was riding in the front passenger seat of the Civic, unrestrained, and died as a result of her injuries in the crash. Jennifer Cowart (W/F, age 20) of Maurepas was riding in the right rear seat of the Civic, also unrestrained, and was seriously injured in the crash. Acadian Ambulance transported Jennifer Cowart to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital with life-threatening injuries. State Police has charged Chelsea Cowart with DWI and Vehicular Homicide due to alcohol impairment. Cowart is currently at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge and she will be booked into the Ascension Parish Jail upon her discharge from the hospital. Troopers want to remind people not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after they have had anything to drink and of the importance of seat belt use. The holiday season historically sees more alcohol-related crashes than any other time of year. Do not drive while impaired and always buckle up! Be cautious of impaired drivers around you, especially during this time of year. Contact Information: Tpr 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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