Killona woman killed in car-pickup crash
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 30, 2009
By ROBIN SHANNON
L’Observateur
KILLONA — A 75-year-old Killona woman was killed early Saturday after she ran a stop sign and caused a two-vehicle accident on La. 3127, according to a release from State Police.
Rosemarie Burke suffered fatal injuries when the 2005 Nissan Altima she was driving crossed into the path of a 1997 Ford truck shortly after 5:30 a.m. Saturday. Senior Trooper Joseph Piglia, public affairs official for State Police, said Burke was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the release, Burke was traveling south on Mary Plantation Road, formally known as La. 3141, when she failed to stop at a stop sign at the La. 3127 intersection. Burke’s car proceeded into the intersection and was struck by the Ford pickup, driven by Elsa Cortez, 35, of Des Allemands.
The truck, which was traveling westbound in the right lane, hit the Nissan on the left side with its front bumper causing severe damage. Cortez suffered moderate injuries and was transported to St. Charles Parish Hospital in Luling for treatment.
Piglia said it is not known if Burke was impaired while driving, but it is not suspected. He said investigators are awaiting a toxicology report.