ST. HELENA PARISH, La. — Louisiana State Police say a driver was killed in a crash Sunday morning in St Helena Parish.
“On October 20, 2024, at approximately 2:40 a.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop L responded to a single-vehicle crash on LA Hwy 16 near LA Hwy 449 in St. Helena Parish. The crash claimed the life of 33-year-old Carey S. Austin of Independence,” said an LSP report.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Ford F-150 driven by Austin was traveling west on LA Hwy 16. For reasons still under investigation, the Ford veered off the right side of the roadway before striking a tree.
Austin, who was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. A restrained passenger was critically injured and transported to a local hospital. As part of the ongoing investigation, a routine toxicology sample was obtained from Austin for analysis.
