Unrestrained Louisiana Woman Killed, Juvenile Passenger Injured in Crash on US 171

DeSoto Parish, Louisiana – On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, Louisiana State Police stated that Troopers assigned to LSP Troop G began investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash on US Highway 171 near Hudson Darby Road shortly before 8:00 a.m. Jessica Farris, 28, of Converse, Louisiana, was not wearing a seatbelt and died in the crash.

The initial inquiry found that Farris was driving a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer north on US Highway 171. A 2012 Kenworth tractor-trailer was also going north on US Highway 171 in front of Farris at the same moment. Farris collided with the rear of the Kenworth tractor-trailer for unknown reasons.

Farris, who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to DeSoto Regional Hospital and later died. A three-year-old female passenger in a child safety seat was sent to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Kenworth was unharmed in the collision.

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

According to Louisiana State Police, 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.

Troop G has investigated 33 fatal crashes so far in 2022, resulting in 36 deaths.