LABARRE, La. — UPDATE: A pregnant ambulance driver and her patient are dead and another person was in critical condition after a Coca-Cola truck and the ambulance collided on Morganza Highway near Deaton Lane Tuesday, Pointe Coupee Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux told our media partners at The Advocate.
The Acadian Ambulance driver, who was pregnant, died, along with a patient in the ambulance. An EMT is in critical condition, Thibodeaux told the newspaper.
"My god, two fatalities so far," said Thibodeaux. "It's a very, very sad, very tragic event."
Louisiana State Police identified the deceased as Kymber Nezat, 28, of Baton Rouge, and Albert Bordelon, 82, of Plaucheville.
An investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but Thibodeaux said it appeared that the ambulance and Coca-Cola truck collided head-on, The Advocate reports.
To read the whole story in The Advocate with all the details, click here.
Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating the three-vehicle crash on LA 1 that ultimately claimed the lives of 28-year-old Kymber Nezat of Baton Rouge and Albert Bordelon, 82, of Plaucheville.
According to the preliminary investigation, a 2019 Mercedes Benz Sprinter driven by Nezat, and serving as an Acadian Ambulance ground unit, was traveling north on LA 1 behind a 2012 Nissan Altima. At the same time, a 2009 Kenworth tractor trailer was headed south on LA 1. For reasons still under investigation, the Sprinter struck the rear end of the Altima, crossed the centerline, entered the southbound lane and struck the tractor trailer head-on.
Despite being properly restrained, both Nezat and Bordelon succumbed to their injuries at the scene. A second rear passenger of the Sprinter was transported to a local hospital with severe injuries. The occupants of the Kenworth and Altima were properly restrained and sustained moderate injuries in the crash.
Authorities say a standard toxicology sample was collected from all drivers and will be submitted for scientific analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Acadian Ambulance posted a statement on their social media as well:
"Acadian Ambulance can confirm that one of our ambulances was involved in a vehicle accident this morning. There were two fatalities. We are cooperating with the law enforcement officials investigating the scene and have no other information to release at this time. The entire Acadian family extends our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and of the injured," the post states.
