LAPLACE — A LaPlace woman died in a wreck Tuesday morning that also left a local woman injured.

Trooper Melissa Matey said the two-vehicle wreck claimed the life of 66-year-old Linda Everett of LaPlace.

Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to a fatal crash shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday on Airline Highway at Main Street.

Preliminary investigation revealed, according to Matey, that Everett was driving a 2002 Toyota Corolla south on Airline Highway and, for unknown reasons, disregarded a red traffic signal at Main Street.

Matey said the Toyota then struck a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was turning north onto U.S. 61 from Main Street.

“The driver of the Jeep was identified as 57-year-old Maria Lambert of LaPlace,” Matey said. “Lambert was taken to East Jefferson Hospital with minor injuries. Everett was also transported to the Ochsner Hospital in St. John Parish, where she was pronounced dead due to injuries sustained.”

Matey said Lambert received no citations and was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Both drivers were utilizing seat belts, however it is suspected Everett was not wearing the seat belt properly, Matey said, adding Everett’s injuries supported the improper seatbelt belief.

Impairment is not suspected, and toxicology results are pending an autopsy, which may take eight week to complete. The crash remains under investigation.

By Gladys Davis Mulkey