St James Parish, Louisiana – A Louisiana driver has died after running off the roadway in a 3-vehicle crash on US 61 in St James Parish.

A fatal crash happened just before 5:00 p.m. on August 14, 2023, and was investigated by the Louisiana State Police from Troop A. The crash involved three vehicles and took place on US 61, north of LA 3274, in St. James Parish. Tragically, Destiny Scott, a 31-year-old woman from Gramercy, Louisiana lost her life in the crash.

Initial investigations have shown that Scott was driving a 2021 Hyundai Kona headed in the south direction on US 61 using the left lane when a 2000 Toyota Camry, following Scott, was also driving in the same lane. Concurrently, a 2013 Ford F-150 was driving northwards on US 61. Due to reasons still under scrutiny, the Camry hit the Kona from behind, which subsequently veered onto the median, entered the northward lane, and collided with the F-150 in a head-on crash. As a consequence of this collision, both the Kona and the F-150 veered off the road, entered a canal, and partially sank.

It remains uncertain whether Scott was restrained at the time of the crash, but she died from her injuries on site. Both the Camry and F-150 drivers were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for minor injuries they received from the crash. While there doesn’t seem to be any suggestion of intoxication on the part of the Toyota driver, a routine toxin test sample was taken. The crash is still being investigated.

Though not every crash is survivable, data shows that appropriately using safety restraints can greatly reduce the odds of sustaining an injury or dying in a car crash. According to Louisiana law, every passenger in a vehicle, no matter where they are seated, must always be secured with a seatbelt. Correct use of your seatbelt is one of the most successful ways to protect your life and minimize injuries in the event of a car crash.