A 16-year-old Houma girl died early Sunday in a crash that troopers suspect was alcohol-related.
Makayla Gregoire was pronounced dead at the scene, State Police say.
Reva Hood, 35, of Houma, was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Center with Vehicular homicide, DWI Second offense, Obstruction of Justice, Careless operation, No seat belt, and Interfering with the duties of an Officer.
The accident happened around 1 a.m. Sunday on La. 57 in Terrebonne Parish, troopers say.
The preliminary investigation indicates Hood was driving a 2004 GMC Yukon southbound on LA 57. For reasons still under investigation, Hood ran off of the road to the right and struck a tree. Hood was unrestrained during the crash and was not injured. Gregoire was seated in the rear of the vehicle unrestrained and suffered fatal injuries.
Impairment on the part of Hood was suspected and she was placed under arrest. Hood provided a breath sample which allegedly showed her to be over the legal limit for alcohol.
State Police say:
"Time and time again, Troopers witness preventable motor vehicle crashes. Impairment and lack of seat belt usage are primary causes of fatal crashes across the state of Louisiana. Nearly half of the fatal crashes in Louisiana are caused by impaired drivers. Louisiana State Police urge motorists to have a plan in place that includes a designated driver when consuming alcohol. Alcohol can impair visual ability, alter sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills, and decrease reaction times. Alcohol can begin to impair a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle after just one drink. Please choose to not drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver, and always buckle up."
