A Franklin woman is under arrest after an accident which claimed the life of a toddler in the vehicle.

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The single vehicle wreck occurred on Highway 83 in St. Mary Parish Wednesday morning. 27-year-old Grace Loustalot was driving with three children in the vehicle. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David explains what happened.

"She over corrected and slid across both lanes of traffic.  She ran off the other side of the road struck a ditch and overturned.  Unfortunately the 2-year-old child inside the vehicle was not restrained by a seat belt or a child restraint seat."

The two-year-old, Temperence Finister was transported to a hospital where she was declared dead. David says they are trying to figure out why the child wasn’t properly restrained.

"Either the child was sitting on top of the car seat and not strapped in or was never strapped in at any point in time."

The other two children and the driver were properly restrained and received minor injuries. David says upon arrival, police allegedly found prescription drugs in Loustalot’s possession, which may have played a factor in the fatal accident.

"They were on her person hidden.  We strongly believe that this was not something she was prescribed.  But even if she was, she was driving in a state she shouldn't of been on the roadway."

Loustalot is charged with vehicular homicide, two counts of first degree vehicular negligent injuring, possession of narcotics, no child restraint, careless operation and expired motor vehicle inspection sticker.

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