GONZALES, La. — A second Lafayette woman has died from injuries sustained in a July crash in Ascension Parish.
As we reported last month, Jean Ducote, 90, died the day of the July 17 crash; her daughter, Carolyn Branch, 66, also of Lafayette, died on July 24.
Family members tell us that Branch was the front seat passenger in the car, and Ducote was the back seat passenger. The family had a funeral for both of them on July 28; you can read Branch's obituary hereand Ducote's obituary here.
On August 2, troopers told us that the crash was still under investigation.
Back when it happened, troopers said the women were passengers in a car traveling east on La 74 in Ascension Parish. At the same time, an SUV was traveling east behind that vehicle. When the car tried to turn right, the SUV didn't stop and rear-ended the car, troopers say.
That impact sent the car off the road and into a ditch. Ducote was wearing her seatbelt but suffered serious injuries, troopers say. She was taken to the hospital, but died of those injuries the same day. Branch also was wearing her seat belt, but sustained serious injuries and died on July 24.
The driver of the car, also wearing her seat belt, also was injured.
The driver of the SUV was wearing their seatbelt and sustained moderate injuries and also was transported to a hospital.
At the time, troopers said impairment is not suspected; however, standard toxicology samples from both drivers were submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation. Any criminal or traffic violations discovered in the ongoing investigation will be forwarded to the Ascension Parish District Attorney’s Office, troopers said at the time of the crash.
"Troopers wish to remind motorists to always make good decisions while in a motor vehicle. Never drive impaired, fatigued, or distracted; follow all traffic laws and ensure every occupant is properly restrained. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death," a release states.
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