ST. CHARLES PARISH, La. — Louisiana State Police are investigating a three-vehicle crash on the Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge that killed a 23-year-old woman.
According to police, the crash occurred early Sunday morning when a fully marked St. John Parish police patrol unit was stopped with emergency lights activated to assist a disabled vehicle from an earlier incident. Authorities said 23-year-old Alexis Jones of Mississippi approached and failed to stop, colliding with the rear of the patrol unit. This initial impact caused the patrol unit to push into the disabled car.
Jones was unrestrained during the crash and sustained serious injuries; she was transported to a local hospital and later died. Her front seat passenger, also unrestrained, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The deputy and the driver of the disabled vehicle were outside discussing the prior incident and were unharmed in the crash.
Impairment is suspected to have contributed to the crash on Jones' part. Toxicology samples from all drivers will be submitted for analysis as part of the investigation.