A pickup rollover on a rural stretch of Hunt Road in LaSalle Parish killed a 16-year-old passenger and injured several others yesterday morning, authorities say. The crash, near the Dewey W. Wills Wildlife Management Area, left at least six people hurt and ended with the 18-year-old driver in handcuffs on a vehicular homicide charge.
Investigation And Charges
Louisiana State Police say Troop E responded to the crash at about 4:49 a.m. Friday. Troopers identified the teen who died as 16-year-old Kent Sanson of Deville and the driver as 18-year-old Reese McKenzie.
After investigating, troopers arrested McKenzie on charges that include careless operation, open container, operating a vehicle while impaired, three counts of vehicular negligent injuring and vehicular homicide, according to Louisiana State Police.
Scene And Injuries
Investigators say a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado left the roadway and overturned, throwing multiple passengers from the truck as it rolled. Local outlet KNOE reports that neither Sanson nor McKenzie was wearing a seat belt.
According to that report, five other passengers suffered moderate injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital. In all, authorities say the wreck left at least six people hurt in addition to the teen who was killed.
Rural Roads And Seat Belt Risks
The crash happened along Hunt Road as it passes through the Dewey W. Wills Wildlife Management Area, a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries public tract in southern LaSalle Parish roughly 20 miles northeast of Alexandria, the wildlife agency notes, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
State traffic safety programs say young drivers and rural, two-lane roads are overrepresented in serious crashes, and they highlight occupant protection and impaired driving enforcement as key tools to keep numbers down, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
What Happens Next
Troopers say routine toxicology samples were collected as part of the investigation, which remains ongoing. McKenzie was processed at the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office, according to Louisiana State Police.
State Police again urged drivers to plan ahead and line up sober rides, noting that impairment is suspected as a factor in the rollover. It is a familiar refrain from traffic safety officials, but as this LaSalle Parish crash shows, the stakes on those dark rural roads are painfully real.
