A woman and toddler were killed in St. Landry Parish early Sunday after their Nissan Maxima was struck by a Ram 2500.
State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says 35-year-old Lacy Leger of Sunset and her two-year-old passenger were traveling along the I-49 service road around 1:30 AM when a suspected drunk driver crossed the center line.
“The truck involved in it was heading north and veered into the path of the vehicle. The driver of the Nissan tried to evade by steering to the right which caused the vehicle to be hit from the side.”
A 16-year-old passenger in the Nissan survived the crash but was seriously injured.
48-year-old Michael Guidry, who drove the truck, was not restrained and suffered minor injuries. Gossen says those riding in the Nissan were not so lucky.
“Everyone in the vehicle was properly restrained, however, the impact from the truck was just too much force.”
The rear seat two-year-old was buckled-in in a child seat, but Gossen says new laws require that kids abide by a stricter set of rules when it comes to what kind of seat can be used.
“In a situation where you have a child that is 25 pounds that may be two-years-old, if the limit of the seat is 40 pounds then you must keep them in it until 40 pound, or 40 inches, whatever the recommendation of the seat. Keep them rear-facing as long as possible.”
Charges are currently pending in the case.
