UPDATE: The Iberia Parish Coroner's Office has confirmed the identity of the person who died in a crash early Thursday.
Iberia Middle School Principal Dina Bourque, 56, was killed when her vehicle struck a tractor pulling a cane trailer, which police say ran a stop sign on the US 90 Frontage Road.
New Iberia Police said they were called to the scene about 6 a.m. and Superintendent Heath Hulin said the students and teachers at the school were notified this morning.
"Priority right now is to be there for staff and students, to make sure their needs are met," Hulin told KATC.
It was not a surprise that Bourque was on the road so early.
"She was always here by 6 a.m., long before anyone else," Hulin said. "It was such a shock for the staff."
Hulin said school district staff are at the school, helping to give teachers and staff breaks during the day and to help the teachers have lunch together. He said there will be a staff meeting after the students go home today to talk about everything.
New Iberia Police say they were called to the intersection of US 90 W Frontage Road and N Grand Prairie Road at about 6 a.m. Thursday.
They found that a tractor pulling trailers loaded with sugarcane was traveling north on N Grand Prairie Road, ran a stop sign and pulled onto the Frontage Road.
A vehicle traveling on Frontage Road collided with the trailer, police say.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the Iberia Parish Coroner's Office.
The driver of the tractor was transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries, police say.
Standard toxicology samples were obtained from both drivers and the results are pending.
