A single-vehicle crash at about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday on La. 98 near Pavie Lane in Lafayette Parish took the life of 25-year-old Ashley Murray Menard of Church Point, according to a news release from Louisiana State Police Troop I.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Menard was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Trax SUV west on La. 98. For reasons still under investigation, Menard’s vehicle ran off the roadway to the left and overturned. Upon doing so, the SUV caught fire with Menard still inside.
Menard was pronounced deceased at the scene by a representative from the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office. Seat belt usage and impairment are unknown, but a standard toxicology sample was obtained for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Troop I has investigated five fatal crashes resulting in six deaths in 2021.