The passenger in a Calcasieu Parish crash involving two alleged drunk drives has died, according to Louisiana State Police.
On April 13, 2019, at 11:59 p.m., Troopers say they responded to a two-vehicle crash involving two drunk drivers at the intersection of LA Hwy 385 and Tank Farm Road located south of Lake Charles.
The investigation revealed that a pickup truck driven by 53-year-old George Edward Broussard Jr. of Bell City was traveling south on LA Hwy 385. Broussard allegedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic while turning left onto Tank Farm Road and turned into the path of a northbound pickup truck driven by 37-year-old Deidre Cole Ward of Lake Charles. The vehicle Broussard was driving was struck on the passenger side by the vehicle driven by Ward.
The front seat passenger in Broussard’s vehicle, 30-year-old Brett Davis Labove sustained life-threatening injuries. Broussard was also seriously injured.
Both were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Troopers say that neither was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Labove died several days later as a result of his injuries.
Ward, who was properly restrained, was transported to an area hospital to be checked out for minor injuries. After being cleared by the hospital, she was transported for processing.
Troopers say that Ward refused to provide a toxicology sample. Details of the arrest were furnished to an on-call judge who approved a “no refusal” search warrant that allowed Troopers to obtain blood samples from Ward without her consent. Ward also provided a breath sample, allegedly revealing a blood alcohol content above the legal limit.
Ward was charged with DWI third offense, driving under suspension, and open alcoholic container. She was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. Additional charges are possible.
Toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers and have been submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.
At the time of the crash, Broussard was cited for DWI first offense, vehicular negligent injuring, failure to yield while turning, and no seat belt. Additional charges are possible.
