Unrestrained Child Dies in Single-Vehicle Crash in Acadia Parish

Acadia Parish– Shortly before 10:00 a.m. on July 12, 2022, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I were notified of a single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 91 near Arpent Lane in Acadia Parish. The crash took the life of 8-year-old Mazey Guidry of Eunice.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed the crash occurred as Guidry was traveling as a front seat passenger in a 1999 GMC Sierra pickup, south on LA 91. For reasons still under investigation, the driver, 44-year-old Carla Lacombe of Eunice, ran off the roadway to the right. Upon doing so, the pickup began to rotate before impacting a culvert and overturning.  

Troopers determined Guidry was unrestrained and was ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced deceased by the Acadia Parish Coroner’s Office. Lacombe and the rear seat passenger were both properly restrained and suffered only minor injuries.  Lacombe submitted a breath sample which indicated no alcohol present and no signs of impairment were detected. Charges are pending and this crash remains under investigation. 

With changes to the child passenger laws recent years, occupants under 13 years of age must be seated in rear seat when a rear seat is available. While not all crashes are survivable, proper seat belt usage can greatly increase the chances of surviving a crash by spreading out those forces across the strong bones of the body and preventing ejection. Please be a responsible driver or a responsible passenger and buckle up every ride, every time. For more information on Child Passenger Safety Laws visit: http://www.lsp.org/pdf/LouisianaChild%20PassengerSafetyLaw.pdf

Troop I has investigated 25 fatal crashes resulting in 29 deaths in 2022.

TFC Thomas Gossen               

Louisiana State Police
 Troop I Public Affairs  

Office: (337) 262-5880           
 thomas.gossen@la.gov