Child Dead Following Three-Vehicle Crash On Moss Street In Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL) -- Lafayette Police say a 12-year-old boy is dead following a three-car crash on Moss Street Thursday evening.

Cpl. Paul Mouton with the Lafayette Police Department says the driver of a white Ford Crown Victoria, 31-year-old Phillip Benoit, was arrested and charged with careless operation, operating an unsafe vehicle, OWI, child endangerment, and vehicular homicide.

Police say Benoit was traveling north on Moss Street when for some reason he lost control and swerved toward the oncoming lanes of traffic.

Benoit crashed into a blue Honda and a Gold Mercury.

The driver and passenger of the Honda were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Mercury suffered only minor injuries as well.

Benot and two of his passengers suffered minor to moderate injuries and had to be taken to the hospital. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing.