Police searching for minivan in connection with fatal crash

March 08 at 10:45 am  | Mobile Reader | Print 

The incident began on Wednesday when 23-year-old Creshondria Jackson, of Houma, was speeding east in the left lane of Highway 90. A white minivan, possibly a Town and Country van, sped past Jackson’s Saturn, pulled in front of the car and then slammed on the brakes, according to State Police.

The Saturn was forced off the road, struck a roadside ditch and rolled several times. Jackson, her front seat passenger Dearron Tucker and Jackson’s 4-year-old son suffered minor injuries and were transported to St. Charles Parish Hospital. The 4-year-old was sitting behind the driver in a lap/shoulder belt, but 2-year-old Sylvester Coleman was seated behind the passenger in a booster seat that authorities say wasn’t properly strapped in. Coleman was ejected from the vehicle and sustained severe head injuries. On Friday, March 1, Coleman died due to his injuries.

"Impairment is not suspected, however toxicology results are pending," State trooper Melissa Matey said. "Speed is believed to have been a factor of the crash."

Louisiana State Troop B is asking for the public’s help in finding the white van that was seen in the area at the time of the crash. Anyone with information regarding the van should contact Troop B at (504) 471-2775. Criminal charges are pending and the crash remains under investigation.

Matey said that car crashes are the leading cause of death of children in the United States and that around 96 percent of child restraints in Louisiana are improperly installed.

Some of those mistakes include not utilizing the correct child restraint for the child’s weight and age, not placing the child restraint in the proper direction, incorrect installation of the restraint and not securing the harness straps on the child.

"The child restraint needs to be utilized the correct way each and every time the vehicle is in motion," Matey said. "Research shows that proper fit and placement of a child restraint can decrease the chances of a fatality by 71 percent for infants one year and younger."