RACELAND (WGNO) – Troopers investigated a preventable fatality crash on LA 308 in Lafourche Parish yesteday. The crash occurred shortly after 11 pm and claimed the life of a 34 year old Raceland resident after the vehicle she was riding in ran off the road and struck 2 utility poles.
The investigation revealed that a 2002 Lincoln LS was traveling north on LA 308 approaching Rodriguez Drive in Lafourche Parish. The Lincoln was being driven by Torrell Sylvester (age 33) of Raceland, LA. For unknown reasons, the Lincoln traveled off the right side of LA 308 as it entered a right hand curve in the road. After leaving the roadway, the Lincoln crossed over Rodriguez Drive and continued off the roadway where it struck the side of a driveway. The angle of the strike caused the Lincoln to travel up into the air before it struck two utility poles on the passenger side of the Lincoln. Sylvester, who was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle, was transported to Terrebonne General Medical Center with moderate injuries. Lawanda Munson, (age 34) of Raceland, LA, was the front seat passenger in the Lincoln during the crash. Munson, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported to St. Anne hospital with severe injuries. Due to the serious nature of her injuries, Munson was being transported to University Medical Center in New Orleans, but died while in transport.
Impairment is unknown at this time. Blood was taken from Sylvester and the test results will be pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. This crash remains under investigation.
The consequences of drinking and driving can be costly no matter how many drinks you have consumed. Always have a plan in place before you have anything to drink. The task of stopping impaired drivers is a joint effort of law enforcement agencies and the public. By never allowing an impaired driver to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and reporting dangerous drivers to law enforcement, the public can play an important role in the reduction of crashes caused by impaired drivers. Making poor decisions in a vehicle such as driving impaired, driving while distracted, or not wearing a seat belt leads to serious injuries and deaths every day across the state. Making the responsible decision can mean the difference between life and death. 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. Taking the time to buckle up every trip and every time is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.
Motorists that witness hazardous situations are urged to call *LSP (*577) and report that activity to the Louisiana State Police.
