Impairment and Lack of Seat Belt Use Suspected Factors in Fatal Crash on Easter Sunday
Ethel – According to Louisiana State Police spokesman TFC Russell G. Graham II, the Louisiana State Police Troop A investigated a single-vehicle crash Sunday night that claimed the life of a young woman and injured two children in East Feliciana Parish shortly before 7:30 pm. Troopers’ preliminary investigation revealed that Gregory Brown (B/M, age 31) of Ethel was driving a 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe east on LA 955, west of LA 19, when he ran off the road to the right.
Police say that Brown then over-corrected to the left, re-entered the roadway and began to cross to the other side of the roadway. As the vehicle crossed both travel lanes, it began to rotate counter-clockwise and then rolled towards the passenger side before entering the ditch along the left edge of the roadway. The vehicle came to rest upright in the ditch, and all four occupants, none of whom were restrained, were ejected.
Police report that Brown’s front seat passenger, Dominique Gales (B/F, age 25) of Jackson, sustained fatal injuries when she was ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced deceased on the scene by the East Feliciana Parish Coroner’s Office.
Brown had two small children in the vehicle with him as well. Neither of the children, ages three and five, were properly restrained either. Both children were ejected from the vehicle and both sustained serious injuries.
Troopers suspect alcohol to have played a factor in the crash and have multiple charges pending against Brown. Troopers have submitted a sample of Brown’s blood to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis. Brown is currently charged with reckless operation, DWI with children in the vehicle (also known as the “Child Endangerment Law”), two counts of failure to properly restrain a child in the vehicle, and failure to wear a seat belt. The crash remains under investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Troop A investigated three fatal crashes over the weekend. Impairment and lack of seat belt use is suspected in two of the three crashes. Troopers would like to remind the public of the importance of seat belt use and the dangers of impaired driving. Poor decisions lead to deaths and serious injuries on our roadways every day. Just making the right decision to buckle up and to buckle your children can mean the difference between life and death.
Police say that Brown then over-corrected to the left, re-entered the roadway and began to cross to the other side of the roadway. As the vehicle crossed both travel lanes, it began to rotate counter-clockwise and then rolled towards the passenger side before entering the ditch along the left edge of the roadway. The vehicle came to rest upright in the ditch, and all four occupants, none of whom were restrained, were ejected.
Police report that Brown’s front seat passenger, Dominique Gales (B/F, age 25) of Jackson, sustained fatal injuries when she was ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced deceased on the scene by the East Feliciana Parish Coroner’s Office.
Brown had two small children in the vehicle with him as well. Neither of the children, ages three and five, were properly restrained either. Both children were ejected from the vehicle and both sustained serious injuries.
Troopers suspect alcohol to have played a factor in the crash and have multiple charges pending against Brown. Troopers have submitted a sample of Brown’s blood to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis. Brown is currently charged with reckless operation, DWI with children in the vehicle (also known as the “Child Endangerment Law”), two counts of failure to properly restrain a child in the vehicle, and failure to wear a seat belt. The crash remains under investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Troop A investigated three fatal crashes over the weekend. Impairment and lack of seat belt use is suspected in two of the three crashes. Troopers would like to remind the public of the importance of seat belt use and the dangers of impaired driving. Poor decisions lead to deaths and serious injuries on our roadways every day. Just making the right decision to buckle up and to buckle your children can mean the difference between life and death.
