Impaired Driver Arrested in Fatal Head-On Livingston Parish Crash
Walker – Shortly before 2:30 am on December 28, 2019, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash on LA Hwy 447 (Walker Road North) south of LA Hwy 1025 (Arnold Road) in Livingston Parish. The crash took the life of 19-year-old Blaze Kilpatrick of Walker.
The initial investigation revealed that the crash occurred as 19-year-old Kali Sunde of Walker and her passenger were traveling southbound on LA Hwy 447 in a 2017 Toyota Camry. At the same time, Kilpatrick was traveling northbound on LA Hwy 447 in a 2009 Honda Accord. The preliminary findings revealed Sunde crossed the centerline into the opposing lane, which resulted in the Toyota striking the Honda head-on.
The preliminary findings revealed Sunde crossed the centerline into the opposing lane, which resulted in the Toyota striking the Honda head-on.
Kilpatrick was properly restrained at the time of the crash; however, he sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. Impairment is unknown on the part of Kilpatrick, but a routine toxicology sample was obtained from him and will be submitted for analysis. Sunde and her passenger were also properly restrained at the time of the crash. They sustained minor injuries.
Impairment is suspected to be a factor in the crash on the part of Sunde. Troopers arrested and transported Sunde to a nearby facility where she provided a breath sample that tested over the legal limit. After the breath test, Troopers booked Sunde into the Livingston Parish Jail for violating LRS 14:32.1 Vehicular Homicide, LRS 14:39.1 Vehicular Negligent Injuring, LRS 14:98 DWI (1st Offense), LRS 32:71 Driving Left of Center, and LRS 32:865 No Insurance. This crash remains under investigation.
Time and time again, Troopers witness preventable motor vehicle crashes. Impairment and lack of seat belt usage are primary causes of crashes across the state of Louisiana. Nearly half of the fatal crashes in Louisiana are caused by impaired drivers. Louisiana State Police urge motorists to have a plan in place that includes a designated driver when consuming alcohol. Alcohol can impair visual ability, alter sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills, and decrease reaction times. Alcohol can begin to impair a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle after just one drink. Please choose to not drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver, and always buckle up.
