Impairment Suspected in Louisiana Crash That Claimed the Life of One Unrestrained Driver and Sent Another to the Hospital and Jail
St. James Parish – A crash in Louisiana that claimed the life of one unrestrained driver and sent another to the hospital and jail is suspected to have been caused by impairment.
Louisiana State Police (LSP) stated on May 8, 2023, that on May 7, just after 10:30 p.m., Troopers with Troop A began investigating a two-vehicle crash on US 61 south of Interstate 10 in St. James Parish. Jiasia Steib, 27, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died as a result of the crash.
According to LSP, the initial investigation indicated that Mark Wooten, 50, of Houston, Texas, was driving a 2021 Ford F-150 south in the northbound lane of US 61. Steib was driving north on US 61 in a 2019 Honda Civic at the same time. Wooten continued south in the northbound lane for unknown reasons and collided with the Civic head-on.
Steib was reportedly unrestrained at the time of the collision and died at the scene. Wooten, who was also unrestrained, was taken to a nearby hospital with moderate injuries from the crash.
During the on-scene investigation, Troopers reportedly observed Wooten displaying several indicators of intoxication and arrested him for Vehicular Homicide, Reckless Operation, DWI (1st offense), and No Seatbelt. After Wooten is released from the hospital, he will be booked into the St. James Parish Jail on the aforementioned charges. LSP indicated that this crash is still being investigated.
Louisiana State Police said that while not all crashes are avoidable, statistics show that correctly fitted restraints can greatly minimize your chances of being injured or killed in a crash. Louisiana law requires that everyone in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, wear their seat belts at all times. Wearing your seat belt correctly is one of the most efficient strategies to save your life and limit injuries in a car crash.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.