Unrestrained driver killed in Madison Parish crash

A woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Madison Parish, Louisiana, Wednesday.

Shortly after 8:30 a.m., troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating the crash on U.S. Highway 80 near Bear Lake Road. Yvonne Gardner, 55, of Tallulah, Louisiana, lost her life.

The initial investigation revealed a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Gardner, was traveling westbound on Highway 80. For reasons still under investigation, Gardner drove her vehicle across the centerline into the eastbound travel lanes and collided with a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Gardner, who was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. A passenger in the Jeep, who was also unrestrained, sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The driver of the Jeep, who was properly restrained, was not injured in the crash. Toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in Louisiana. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving.

Buckling up is the most effective way to protect yourself during a vehicle crash. Failure to take a few seconds to buckle up can have devastating consequences. Louisiana law requires every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, to be properly restrained day or night.

In 2020, Troop F has investigated 46 fatal crashes resulting in 52 deaths.