By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A two-car crash on Interstate 10 in St. Charles Parish Sunday morning claimed the life of a 16-year-old Napoleonville girl, according to a release from State Police.

A second juvenile victim, a 16-year-old from Pierre Part, also suffered serious injuries in the 2:50 a.m. crash. The teen was transported to University Hospital in New Orleans in critical condition. No further information is known.

The two teens were passengers in a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Michelle McBride, 20, of Napoleonville, said Trooper Melissa Matey of State Police Troop B. The Grand Prix was traveling westbound at a slow rate of speed in the right lane of Interstate 10 when it was struck from behind by a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Billy Albin, 40, of Independence.

According to the release from police, McBride’s vehicle, which had suffered a tire failure, was traveling at a slow rate of speed with its hazard lights flashing at the time of the crash. The Napoleonville victim was sitting in the rear center seat of the Grand Prix at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene. The other passenger was sitting in the right rear seat of the car.

Matey said alcohol impairment on the part of both drivers is a suspected factor in the crash. She said toxicology results are pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Speed on the part of Albin is also being considered a factor. None of the occupants in either vehicle were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

Matey said the accident is still under investigation.

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