Unrestrained 3-Year-Old Child Killed, Others Injured in Single-Vehicle Crash in Louisiana

Leesville, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police reported on November 18, 2022, that on Thursday, November 17, 2022, shortly after 9:30 p.m., Troopers assigned to LSP Troop E began investigating a one-vehicle fatality crash on Savage Fork Road, just west of Last Road. Aurora Shafer, a three-year-old from Leesville, Louisiana, was killed in the crash.

The first investigation found that Regina Shafer, 29, of Leesville, Louisiana, was driving a 2020 Kia Optima west on Savage Fork Road. Shafer exited the road and collided with a tree for unknown circumstances.

All of the passengers were unrestrained and sent to various nearby medical facilities. Regina was seriously injured, while two other passengers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Aurora died as a result of her injuries at Byrd Regional Medical Center.

Although impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this crash, regular toxicological samples were collected and sent for examination. The crash is still being investigated.

Buckling up is the most efficient strategy to protect yourself in the event of a car accident. Failure to buckle up for a few seconds might have disastrous effects. Every individual in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, is required by Louisiana law to be properly restrained at all times. Furthermore, Troopers would like to emphasize the necessity of ensuring that all child passengers are correctly installed child safety seats. The public is encouraged to take advantage of free child seat checks held at fitting stations throughout the state; each LSP Troop is designated as a fitting station. Follow this link to contact a PIO for assistance or to schedule a check for your child's seat.

Troop E has investigated 50 fatal crashes so far in 2022, resulting in 52 deaths.