Rapides Parish, Louisiana - An unrestrained Louisiana woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash on LA 121 in Rapides Parish.

On the 3rd of September, 2023, around 6:00 p.m., a single-vehicle crash occurred on Louisiana Highway 121, close to Louisiana Highway 1200, to which Louisiana State Police Troop E responded. The crash resulted in the death of Susan Castille, from Washington, Louisiana, who was 70 years old.

The preliminary inquiry showed that Castille was driving a 2022 GMC Acadia, heading south on Louisiana Highway 121. For reasons still under investigation, Castille's vehicle veered off the road, hitting a tree and a gas meter. After the collision, Castille was taken out of the vehicle prior to it being consumed by fire.

Castille, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, suffered deadly injuries and was declared deceased on the spot. Standard toxicology samples were collected and sent for examination. The investigation into this crash is still ongoing.

While it's true that some crashes can be fatal, correctly using seat belts can dramatically lower the risk of dying for passengers and can also significantly lessen the severity of injuries. Making sure that everyone in the vehicle is appropriately secured can frequently make the difference between survival and fatality.

Troop E has conducted investigations into 38 deadly crashes so far in 2023, which led to the loss of 43 lives.