Passenger Succumbs to Injuries Received in Two-Vehicle Crash November 5 in Lake Charles
Passenger Succumbs to Injuries Received in Two-Vehicle Crash November 5 in Lake Charles
Published November 5, 2019
From Louisiana State Police – On November 5, 2019, shortly before 11:00 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of LA Hwy 397 and Gauthier Road in Lake Charles. The crash claimed the life of 82-year-old Theresa Jones of Lake Charles.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 2001 Chevrolet SUV driven by 31-year-old Courtney Vincent of Lake Charles was traveling east on Gauthier Road. Vincent failed to stop at the stop sign and was struck by a 2017 Kia Forte that was traveling south on LA Hwy 397 and being driven by 50-year-old Leslie J. Lewis of Westlake. The impact caused the Chevrolet to run off the left side of the road, through a ditch, and strike a utility pole before rolling over onto its right side. The Kia ran off the left side of the road and came to rest in a ditch.
Vincent and his two passengers were properly restrained at the time of the crash and sustained moderate injuries. Lewis was properly restrained and sustained moderate injuries. Both drivers and the occupants were transported to a Lake Charles area hospital.
Jones, the passenger in the Kia, was properly restrained at the time of the crash. Jones sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a Lake Charles area hospital for medical treatment.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. this afternoon, Troop D was notified that Jones had succumbed to her injuries sustained during the crash. Toxicology samples were taken from both drivers for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.
At the time of the crash, Vincent was cited for failure to stop at a stop sign. Additional charges are possible.
Troop D has investigated 26 fatal crashes resulting in 30 deaths.
While the exact cause of this crash remains under investigation, inattentive/distracted driving continues to be a leading factor in fatal crashes in our state.
Contact Information:
Trooper Derek Senegal
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section–Troop D
Office: (337) 491-2519
Location of accident
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