Louisiana State Troopers want to remind drivers of the dangers of impaired driving, after two separate crashes in the capital area took the life of a 34-year-old woman and a 6-year-old girl.
The latest crash happened Sunday morning on I-10 West, near LA 77 in West Baton Rouge Parish.
Thirty-three-year-old Kevin Dickens, of Del City, Oklahoma, was driving his car down the interstate, when he tried to pass another vehicle, but his car hit the rear of the SUV instead, which caused both vehicles to overturn. The crash claimed the life of Dickens’s passenger Tranisha King, of Del City, Oklahoma, and injured several others, including children who were in the SUV.
Dickens is charged with Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Negligent Injuring and Reckless Operation.
He will be booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail after he is released from the hospital.
The other crash happened on I-10, east of LA 44 around 10:00 P.M. Saturday in Ascension Parish.
State Police say 29-year-old Kenneth Lewis, of Gesimar, LA, was speeding down the interstate, when his car rear-ended an SUV, which caused the vehicles to lose control and hit some trees. Everyone in the SUV was properly restrained, but 6-year-old Samantha Keating, of Paulina, LA, died from her injuries at a local hospital. The girl’s parents had moderate injuries.
Lewis was impaired at the time of the crash and arrested. He is charged DWI, Vehicular Homicide, two counts of Vehicular Negligent Injuring, Reckless Operation, Obstruction of Justice and Open Container.
In a press release by LSP, Troopers want to remind drivers to stay safe, and don’t drive impaired.
“Whether impaired through alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, the consequences of driving while impaired remain the same. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death.”