Covington, LA - A tragic single-vehicle crash on Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish claimed the life of a 2-year-old boy Thursday morning, according to Louisiana State Police.
The incident occurred shortly before 11:50 a.m. west of the LA Highway 59 exit, where a 2011 Ford F-150 traveling eastbound veered off the roadway and struck a tree.
Preston Ordone of Slidell, who was seated in the rear of the vehicle, sustained serious injuries in the crash and was transported to a local hospital where he later died. Investigators noted the child was in a safety seat but was improperly restrained.
The driver and front passenger, who were properly wearing seat belts, also suffered serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Their identities and current conditions have not been released.
Louisiana State Police Troop L is continuing its investigation into the circumstances that caused the vehicle to leave the roadway. As standard procedure in fatal crashes, toxicology samples were collected from the driver for analysis.
"Proper restraint use significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death in a crash," said a Louisiana State Police spokesperson. "Louisiana law requires all occupants, regardless of seating position, to be properly restrained at all times."
Parents who are uncertain about their child's car seat setup can visit any Louisiana State Police Troop or contact the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission to locate the nearest fitting station.
Traffic safety experts emphasize that properly installed child safety seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers in passenger vehicles.