Driver dies when she turns her vehicle into path of Freightliner

Shortly before 3:30 p.m. Thursday troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a three-vehicle fatal crash at the intersection of LA Highway 733 and LA Highway 92 in Lafayette Parish. The crash took the life of Jeanette Laviolette, 68, of Lafayette.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed Laviolette was driving a 2007 Toyota Corolla south on LA Highway 733 and stopped for a stop sign at its intersection with LA Highway 92. Laviolette proceeded to make a left turn onto LA Highway 92 and was struck by a 1998 Freightliner, traveling west operated by 51-year-old Damon Trahan of Maurice. After impact, the Freightliner pushed Laviolette’s vehicle into the eastbound lane, where it struck a 2010 Dodge Charger, operated by 35-year-old Christopher King of Sulfur, OK.
Laviolette was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, but sustained fatal injuries. Laviolette was pronounced dead on scene by the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office. Trahan and King were both wearing seat belts and were not injured.
Trahan and King voluntarily submitted to a chemical test and were not impaired. It is unknown if Laviolette was impaired at the time of the crash. The Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office will attempt to take toxicology samples and if successful, they will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.
Louisiana State Troopers reminded motorists on the importance of distractions in and around the vehicle. Drivers must be able to focus on multiple vehicles coming from different directions and approaching intersections at different speeds. When stopped for a traffic control device you must yield the right of way to all oncoming traffic and not enter the roadway until it is safe to do so.