On August 23, shortly after 5 p.m., troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop I were notified of a single-vehicle crash on La. 13 near Bluefish Road in Lyons Point. The crash claimed the lives of 27-year-old Javonta Flugence, 26-year-old Amber Davy, and 2-year-old Caroline Flugence, all of Crowley.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2003 Toyota 4Runner was traveling south on La. 13. For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota veered off the roadway to the right and entered a ditch before striking a culvert, becoming airborne, and overturning onto its roof.
All three occupants sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene. Due to the occupants being unrestrained and partially ejected, Troopers are continuing to investigate who was driving at the time of the crash.
On August 23, shortly after 6 p.m., a single-vehicle crash occurred on La. 93 near Grand Lake Drive in Arnaudville. The crash claimed the life of 53-year-old Kevin Meche of Arnaudville.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Meche was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado south on La. 93. For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet veered off the roadway to the right, entered a ditch, and continued to travel south before re-entering the roadway and overturning multiple times.
Meche, who was restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
On August 23, shortly after 7 p.m., a single-vehicle crash occurred on La. 87 near LSU Bridge Road in Jeanerette. The crash claimed the life of 45-year-old Felix Richard of New Iberia.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Richard was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro south on La. 87. For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet veered off the road to the right, entered a ditch, and struck an embankment before striking a tree.
Richard, who was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Standard toxicology samples were collected for analysis in all three crashes, which remain under investigation.
Overnight, single-vehicle crashes in the Acadiana area resulted in the loss of five lives, leaving their families changed forever due to preventable motor vehicle crashes. Troopers wish to remind motorists that although not all crashes are survivable, wearing your seatbelt drastically decreases your chance of injury or death during a crash. Additionally, distracted, inattentive, and reckless driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state. Taking simple precautions like ensuring every occupant is wearing a seatbelt, following all traffic laws, and adhering to speed limits increases safety on the road.
