Louisiana Driver Distracted by Device in Fatal Crash

January 17, 2013

State police have arrested a 23-year-old Denham Springs, La., man who was believed to have been distracted by a hand-held electronic device when he drove through a stop sign and killed an 83-year-old woman in Ascension Parish.

Troopers say Audrey S. Wells, of Gonzales, was crossing La. Highway 931 when her car was struck shortly before 11:15 a.m. Tuesday.

Travis R. Parent Jr. was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on counts of negligent homicide, reckless operation and felony disregarding of a stop sign.

Troopers say Wells was wearing a seatbelt but suffered fatal injuries in the crash.