A two-vehicle crash in Vermilion Parish claimed the life of an Erath teenager, according to Louisiana State Police.
17-year-old Caroline Claire Toups was killed in the two-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 339 around 3:45 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
An investigation by police revealed that Toups was a front passenger in a Cadillac CTS being driven east on Pickett Road. The vehicle was struck on the passenger side by a northbound Dodge Ram. Police say the driver of the Cadillac, whose name is being withheld due to her age, failed to yield at a stop sign as she attempted to cross over LA 339 from Pickett Road.
Despite being restrained, Toups died at the scene due to the severity of the crash.
The driver of the Cadillac was properly restrained and was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. The driver of the Dodge pickup was restrained and sustained minor injuries.
While impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Troopers would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists to always make good decisions while operating motor vehicles. Take an extra few seconds and look both ways twice before proceeding forward from a stop sign can often mean the difference between life and death.
Troop I has investigated 23 fatal crashes resulting in 26 deaths in 2020.
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