Carencro, LA : Arnaudville woman and her 7-year-old son died and two men injured after a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 1252 near Kidder Road on Monday, March 30, 2015

A two-vehicle crash in Lafayette Parish Monday has claimed the life of an Arnaudville mother and her 7-year-old son.

Master Trooper Brooks David with State Police Troop I said the 8 a.m. crash on La. 1252 near Kidder Road took the lives of Kristen Trimm, 23, and her son, Branson Taylor.

He said the initial State Police investigation revealed that the crash occurred as Trimm was driving a 2009 Hyundai Elantra east on La. 1252 and, for unknown reasons, crossed into the westbound lane.

“A 2009 GMC Sierra driven by 22-year-old Joey Stelly of Carencro was traveling west on La. 1252 and attempted to avoid impact with Trimm’s vehicle,” David said. “Trimm’s vehicle struck Stelly’s truck nearly head on.”

After impact, Trimm’s vehicle came to rest in the eastbound lane and Stelly’s vehicle went off the north side of the roadway.

“Trimm and her front seat passenger, 26-year-old Ronnie Touchet of Breaux Bridge, were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Trimm’s 7-year-old son was a passenger in the rear of the vehicle and was not wearing a seat belt,” David said.

The Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced Kristen Trimm and her son dead at the scene. Touchet was transported to a local hospital.

“Stelly was not wearing a seat belt and was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries,” David said.

He said driver impairment is unknown, but routine toxicology samples was taken from Trimm and Stelly and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.

Brooks found the lack of restraint for the child especially troubling.

“No seat belts and no child restraints have become common practice in Acadiana. It baffles me how someone will make sure they purchase or bring tie-down straps when they purchase a brand new TV, barbecue pit or whatever, but won’t have a child restraint booster seat or even seat belt for their most precious gift: our children,” Brooks said.

He said vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and serious injury for children in the United States.

“Many injuries and deaths can be prevented by properly using child safety seats. Louisiana state law requires the driver of a motor vehicle to ensure that every child under the age of 13 is properly seat belted, regardless of seating position, in the vehicle,” David said.

“It is the responsibility of every parent and caregiver to ensure that the children under their care are as safe as they can possibly be at all times. While riding in a motor vehicle, the best way to do this is to ensure the child is properly restrained in a child restraint system or seat belt,” David said.

Source :
Arnaudville woman, son, 7, killed in head-on collision on Louisiana Highway 1252