Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a singlevehicle fatal crash shortly before 1 p.m. April 13 on U.S. Highway 80 just east of Louisiana Highway 609.
The crash claimed the life of 1-year-old Amella Kyles of Bastrop.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by 27-year-old Shanice Kyles, was traveling east on U.S. Highway 80. For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet traveled off the right side of the road, struck a tree, and overturned.
Amella Kyles, who was an improperly restrained rear-seat passenger, suffered severe injuries and was transported to an area hospital, where she later died. Shanice Kyles, who was properly restrained, and a second child, who was also improperly restrained in the rear seat, received minor injuries.
Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana law requires that every occupant in a motor vehicle be properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint.
Child safety seats offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash; however, approximately three out of four car seats are not used correctly or used at all.
Children should remain in properly fitted and installed child safety seats and booster seats until they are nine or have outgrown the height or weight limits of a child restraint system or belt-positioning child booster seat as set by the manufacturer.
For more information regarding Louisiana child passenger restraint system laws, recommendations, and to find the nearest Child Safety Fitting Station, please visit www.lahighwaysafety. org.
