Single-Vehicle Crash Claims Ville Platte Native

A crash turns fatal early Friday morning as someone from Ville Platte is now dead.

Around 1:19 a.m., Louisiana State Trooper Stephen Hammons says 19-year-old Chauncey Hesnor of Ville Platte was driving his truck on LA Highway 363 when his Toyota went off a curve on the side of the road. Hammons says the truck then ran into some cement and overturned into a ditch.

Hesnor, who was not wearing his seat belt, survived the crash with only moderate injuries. His passenger, 19-year-old Alex Reed of Ville Platte, who was wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead by the St. Landry Parish Coroner.

Troopers suspect Hesnor was impaired by alcohol. He will be booked into the St. Landry Parish jail on the following charges when he is released from the hospital: vehicular homicide, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, no seat belt and open alcoholic container.

The crash remains under investigation.