Louisiana State Police say two drivers have been arrested in connection with a two-vehicle crash that killed 18-year-old Marlee Norse of Opelousas on April 24. Troop I investigators obtained arrest warrants through the 27th Judicial District Court, and both suspects were booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail. According to state police, toxicology testing indicated both drivers were impaired at the time of the collision.
Crash details and the victim
The crash unfolded on Louisiana Highway 35 near Highway 358 when one vehicle failed to yield and entered the intersection, striking another car and setting off multiple impacts, according to local reporting. As reported by KATC, the collision sent several people to area hospitals with a range of injuries.
The teen killed in the wreck was identified as Marlee “Violet” Norse of Opelousas. Her obituary lists funeral arrangements and surviving family members, underscoring the human toll behind the crash report.
Arrests and charges
Louisiana State Police say Troop I obtained arrest warrants through the 27th Judicial District Court and arrested 20-year-old Zayd Parra and 38-year-old Benjamin Daigle, according to a Troop I news release shared by Louisiana State Police. Parra faces charges of vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular negligent injuring, and failure to yield. Daigle is charged with first-offense DWI with child endangerment. Both men were booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail, the release states.
State law and potential penalties
Vehicular homicide is defined under Louisiana law and can be charged when impairment is a contributing factor in a death; the statute is codified at LA Rev. Stat. § 14:32.1. DWI offenses that involve child passengers carry enhanced penalties under Louisiana's DWI and child endangerment provisions, including mandatory license actions and possible felony exposure.
The statutes lay out fines, license suspension rules, and prison terms that vary based on the degree of injury, the role of impairment, and whether a driver has prior offenses. Readers can review the full language of the vehicular homicide statute on Justia and the DWI provisions on Justia.
What investigators say and what’s next
Troop I officials say the investigation is still active, and they plan to release additional information through the Troop I Public Affairs office. The news release lists Trooper Monique Lavergne as the contact for that office.
Prosecutors with the 27th Judicial District Court will review the arrest warrants and decide how to move the cases forward. Authorities did not announce court dates in the initial release, leaving the legal fallout to play out in the weeks and months ahead.
