Texas Woman Dies in Louisiana Crash After Vehicle Hits Parked 18-Wheeler

GIBSLAND, LA (KPEL) — Louisiana State Police responded to a fatal two-vehicle crash on Sunday around 5 pm near Louisiana Highway 154.

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The crash is still under investigation; however, it has been confirmed that Lauren Carkeet of Lewisville, TX, was traveling west on I-20 in a 2010 GMC Acadia when she veered from the main roadway and hit a parked 18-wheeler.

Read More: Louisiana Law Requires Victim Alerts After Jail Escapes 

Joshua Ware, of Prosper, Texas, was driving the GMC when he veered from the main roadway and hit a parked 18-wheeler. He was properly restrained and only sustained minor injuries, which were treated at a nearby hospital.

However, Carkeet, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the GMC, was ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

According to Louisiana State Police investigators, due to the severity of the crash, they are working to determine if she was properly restrained at the time of the crash.

Troopers often witness the tragic consequences of preventable crashes. Never operating a vehicle while impaired, fatigued, or distracted is essential, and always obey the posted speed limit.

While Ware was not suspected of being impaired, standard toxicology samples were retrieved. The results of the samples have not been disclosed since the crash is still under investigation.

While not all crashes are survivable, taking these simple precautions can mean the difference between life and death.

The truck driver sustained no injuries.

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