LAPLACE — The D.A.’s office will decide if criminal charges are warranted following a fatal wreck this month in Reserve, authorities said.

Louisiana State Police Troop B Spokeswoman Melissa Matey told L’OBSERVATEUR on Monday that State Police investigators are going to turn over wreck findings to St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut for a decision on whether or not charges are necessary in the Dec. 15 fatal collision that resulted in the death of Danielle Georgel.

Georgel, 24, of LaPlace was pronounced dead at a local hospital following an Airline Highway crash in which she was a passenger.

State Police initially hinted a criminal charge was imminent following the wreck; however, Matey said, “as it is right now,” that decision will be left in the hands of the 40th Judicial District D.A.’s office.

State Police are expected to present their findings to Dinvaut’s office no later than Feb. 2, Matey said.

Georgel was a front seat passenger Dec. 15 in a Ford Taurus traveling on Airline Highway South that collided with a Chevrolet Avalanche trying to make a left turn onto Central Avenue from Airline Highway North.

24-year-old Tylas Bailey of Vacherie was driving the Taurus, and 17-year-old Christian Moses of Gonzales was driving the Avalanche.

State Police have not issued any citations as result of the crash, and Matey said impairment is not suspected from either driver, adding blood samples were taken from each driver.

Georgel and Bailey were not wearing seat belts, and Moses was properly restrained, police said.

Georgel’s mother said her daughter did not have insurance and a donation drive is underway to help pay for the funeral costs associated with the 24-year-old’s tragic death. Those interested in helping can donate at gofundme.com/danielle-marie-georgel.

No charges

Louisiana State Police Troop B Spokeswoman Melissa Matey told L’OBSERVATEUR charges would not be filed in relation to a fatal wreck Thursday on Airline Highway.

Catherine Murray, a 60-year-old Reserve woman, died Thursday, the result of injuries suffered in a two-vehicle crash near Emmett Court.

The initial investigation indicated Murray, driving a Ford Focus, was struck while exiting a private drive and attempting to cross the northbound lanes to turn left on Airline Highway southbound.

A Toyota XD, driven by 27-year-old Travis Richard of Destrehan, was traveling on Airline Highway North when he struck the driver’s side of the Ford.

Murray was pronounced dead at the hospital, and Richard suffered moderate injuries.

State Police investigators determined the Ford was at fault for not yielding to oncoming traffic.