VACHERIE, LA (TruckingNewsNow.com) (Source: Louisiana State Police) –Shortly after 6:30 this morning (Wednesday, January 23, 2019), Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop C began investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash on LA 3127 at LA 3213. The crash took the life of 51-year-old Toneka Terry.

The preliminary investigation revealed Terry was traveling south on LA 3213 in a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. She reached the intersection with LA 3127 and stopped for the stop sign. For reasons still under investigation, Terry failed to yield and began making a left turn onto LA 3127 in front of a westbound 2013 Caterpillar dump truck being driven by 54-year-old Charles Dewitt of Westwego, LA. Terry was struck on the driver’s side of her vehicle and she sustained fatal injuries as a result. She was pronounced deceased on scene by the St. James Parish Coroner’s Office. Terry’s 11-year-old front seat passenger received moderate injuries. She was transported to University Medical Center in New Orleans by Acadian Ambulance Service. Dewitt was not injured in the crash.  

Impairment is unknown on the part of Terry and standard toxicology tests are pending through the St. James Parish Coroner’s Office. Dewitt provided a breath sample which showed no alcohol present. All three occupants involved in this crash were wearing their seat belts.  

Troopers wish to remind motorists to always look and make sure it is clear before pulling into traffic or across intersections. Never try and “make it” across when it is unsafe to do so. While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Louisiana law requires every vehicle occupant, front seat and back seat, to be properly restrained day or night.