Centerville, LA — A deadly two-vehicle crash claimed the life of an 86-year-old woman on the morning of Friday, June 13, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 90 and Louisiana Highway 182. The incident occurred just before 10:00 a.m., prompting a response from Louisiana State Police Troop I.
The victim, identified as Norma Clements of Centerville, was driving a 2013 Nissan Rogue. According to investigators, Clements had stopped at the intersection on LA 182, which is governed by a stop sign. As she attempted to cross the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 90, her vehicle moved into the path of an oncoming 2022 Ford F600 Super Duty truck that was towing a trailer.
The driver of the Ford truck, who was not injured, attempted to avoid the collision but struck the driver’s side of Clements’ Nissan. The impact caused heavy damage to the vehicle and left Clements critically injured. Emergency personnel transported her to a nearby hospital, but she later succumbed to her injuries.
Authorities confirmed that Clements was properly wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash. They also reported that impairment is not suspected to have played a role. The driver of the Ford truck submitted to a voluntary breath test, which came back negative for alcohol. As standard in fatal accidents, a toxicology sample from Clements was collected for lab testing.
While the preliminary investigation suggests that Clements may have misjudged the timing or distance of the approaching vehicle, officials have not yet determined the exact cause. Troopers continue to examine all potential contributing factors, including visibility, weather conditions, and traffic flow at the time of the crash.
This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly routine driving decisions can lead to fatal consequences, particularly at high-speed intersections. Even with safety precautions in place, the combination of timing and traffic volume can turn a simple crossing into a dangerous moment.
The Louisiana State Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage of the incident to come forward. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be released as more details become available.