Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F are investigating two separate two-vehicle crashes in northeast Louisiana this week that claimed the lives of drivers in Richland and Franklin parishes.
The first crash occurred shortly after 7 a.m. Sept. 16 at the intersection of U.S. Highway 425 and Louisiana Highway 135 in Richland Parish.
The initial investigation revealed that a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by 59-year-old Samantha Gaydon of Rayville, was traveling east on Louisiana Highway 135. At the same time, a 2022 Ford Edge was traveling south on U.S. Highway 425. For reasons still under investigation, Gaydon failed to yield at the stop sign at the intersection and struck the right side of the Ford.
Gaydon, who was properly restrained, suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital, where she later died. The driver of the Ford, who was also properly restrained, received minor injury and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
The second crash happened shortly before 6 p.m. Sept. 17 on Louisiana Highway 561 near Duchesne Road in Franklin Parish.
The initial investigation revealed that a 2021 Chevrolet Trail Blazer, driven by 35-year-old Jana Holman of Columbia, was traveling north on Louisiana Highway 561. At the same time, a 2015 Kenworth commercial motor vehicle was traveling south. For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet crossed the centerline into the southbound lane and struck the Kenworth head-on.
Holman, who was unrestrained, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The driver of the Kenworth, who was properly restrained, was uninjured. Impairment is suspected on the part of Holman. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Police reminded motorists that while not all crashes are survivable, properly wearing a seat belt dramatically reduces the chances of serious injury or death.
Louisiana law requires every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, to always remain buckled up.
Troopers also stressed that if you feel differently, you drive differently. Alcohol, prescription drugs and other substances impair vision, alter the sense of time and space, reduce fine motor skills, and slow reaction times.
Motorists are urged to plan ahead, designate a sober driver, and always buckle up. Not doing so can have deadly consequences.
