Moss Bluff, Louisiana – A 19-year-old man died following a multi-vehicle crash in Moss Bluff that resulted in vehicular homicide charges against an allegedly impaired driver, according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.
19-year-old Gideon M. Capitano was transported to a local hospital after the September 6 crash at the intersection of North Perkins Ferry Road and Poeyfarre Drive in Moss Bluff. He died from his injuries early Sunday morning.
The incident began around 9:00 p.m. when three vehicles were involved in an initial collision. Deputies said a Chevrolet pickup was stopped northbound on North Perkins Ferry Road, waiting to turn left onto Poeyfarre Drive. A Toyota SUV attempted to pass the Chevrolet in a no-passing zone and struck a Ford pickup head-on as it traveled southbound.
After the first crash, drivers, passengers, and passing motorists who stopped to help exited their vehicles. While they were outside assessing the situation, a second Chevrolet pickup traveling southbound struck the rear of the Ford involved in the initial collision.
Everyone was able to move out of the way except Capitano, who was driving the Ford pickup.
The driver of the Toyota SUV was also transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. Their current condition has not been released.
Shelby T. Wood, 24, was identified as the driver of the second Chevrolet pickup that struck Capitano’s vehicle. Deputies observed signs of impairment from Wood at the scene.
Wood performed poorly on standardized field sobriety testing, which are exercises designed to assess a person’s physical and cognitive abilities. A blood draw was conducted with results pending laboratory analysis.
Following the investigation, Wood was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. She faces charges including driving while intoxicated first offense, vehicular homicide, careless operation and expired registration. Her bond is still pending.
Vehicular homicide is a serious felony charge that applies when someone’s death results from another person operating a vehicle while intoxicated or in a criminally negligent manner.
The investigation remains ongoing. As mandated by Louisiana state law, toxicology tests were conducted on the other drivers involved in the crash to determine if alcohol or drugs were factors.
This case will likely proceed through the Calcasieu Parish court system, where Wood could face significant penalties if convicted of vehicular homicide, including potential prison time.
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.