Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to crash July 26 at 5:42 p.m. involving a vehicle and two pedestrians on La. Hwy 784 just east of US Highway 71 that claimed the life of a Coushatta teenager.
The preliminary investigation revealed Lacy Ross, 19, and Rachel Barnette, 17, of Coushatta were walking on the side of LA 784 when they were struck by a westbound 2002 Buick Century operated by Kenneth Morse, 47, of Coushatta.
Ross sustained minor injuries from the collision and was transported to University Health Shreveport for treatment. Barnette sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Red River Parish Coroner.
Morse was not injured but was impaired at the time of the crash. At the completion of the on-scene investigation, Morse was transported to the Red River Parish Jail and booked for vehicular negligent injuring, vehicular homicide, open container and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Impairment is a factor in this crash. Toxicology samples were obtained and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
