Late Friday into early Saturday turned deadly on Tangipahoa Parish roads, with two separate crashes killing a six-month-old girl and a 22-year-old woman and injuring several others. The infant from Hammond died after a single-vehicle wreck on U.S. Highway 51, while the young woman was killed in a multi-vehicle collision on LA Highway 16 near Amite. Investigators with Louisiana State Police Troop L say unrestrained occupants, lack of proper child restraints and suspected impairment were factors in both crashes. Two drivers were arrested, and troopers collected routine toxicology samples as the investigations continue.
According to Louisiana State Police, the first crash happened Friday night around 11:50 p.m. on U.S. Highway 51 just south of LA 1064. A 2013 Hyundai Elantra driven by 25-year-old Resjyne N. Griffin ran off the road and hit a culvert. Two unrestrained minors were injured, and six-month-old passenger Kaybri Robinson of Hammond later died at a local hospital.
Troopers say Griffin, who was not wearing a seat belt, showed signs of impairment and will face charges that include vehicular homicide, vehicular negligent injury, no child restraint, careless operation, open container and no driver’s license. Routine toxicology samples were taken as part of the investigation. The second crash happened early Saturday on LA Highway 16 at Dykes Lane near Amite and involved a Kia K4 that crossed the centerline and was hit by two westbound trucks. According to the release, 22-year-old Janya T. D. Butler was unrestrained and died at the scene, while 48-year-old Franklin B. Turnage of Mount Olive, Mississippi, was arrested on suspicion of DWI, driving while suspended and no seatbelt. A related Facebook post from the agency tracks with the written report.
Proper restraints matter. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says correctly installed car seats can reduce fatal injury by roughly 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers, according to NHTSA. Public-health officials warn that misused or missing restraints leave many children vulnerable in crashes, according to the CDC. Louisiana law requires vehicle occupants to be restrained, and troopers stress that wearing seat belts and using age-appropriate child seats sharply cuts the risk of death or serious injury. State and local fitting stations and certified technicians are available to help caregivers make sure seats are installed correctly.
Charges and Investigation
Both crashes remain under active investigation. Louisiana State Police say Griffin will be booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Correctional Facility on counts that include vehicular homicide and no child restraint, along with several other charges. Turnage was booked on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), driving while suspended and no seatbelt, and troopers say routine toxicology samples were obtained from all drivers, Louisiana State Police notes.
Where To Get Help With Car Seats
Louisiana State Police and safety advocates urge caregivers who are unsure about car-seat installation to visit a certified fitting station. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission maintains fitting-station cards and resources for each region, and every State Police troop location serves as a fitting station. Local events and schedules are listed in the commission’s materials and car-seat check PDFs for parish residents.
