Lafayette Parish, Louisiana - Louisiana State Police Troop I initiated an investigation into a severe injury single-vehicle collision on Interstate 10, approximately 3 miles east of Louisiana Highway 95, around 11:00 p.m. on December 8, 2023. Tragically, the crash resulted in the passing of Nina Hayes, aged 40 and from Iota, Louisiana.

Initial findings indicate that Hayes was driving a 2015 Nissan Altima westbound on Interstate 10 when the vehicle veered off the right side of the road, collided with a tree, and overturned for reasons still being examined.

Hayes was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident and sustained serious injuries. She was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. A sample for toxicology analysis was obtained from Hayes and is currently being processed. The investigation into this crash is ongoing.

It is crucial to emphasize that fastening your seatbelt is the most effective measure for safeguarding yourself while operating or riding in a vehicle. It significantly reduces the likelihood of sustaining severe injuries or fatalities in case of a crash and takes only moments to do so. Always ensure you buckle up before embarking on any journey, regardless of the distance.

So far in 2023, Troop I has probed 49 fatal crashes resulting in 54 fatalities.