Unrestrained child seriously injured in vehicle crash

On Mon., Aug. 21, at 7:48 p.m., the Louisiana State Police investigated a serious injury crash on U.S. 90 near Willowdale Dr., at milepost 241.8.

The crash involved a 1994 Mercury Cougar, driven by Daffney Matherne, 28, of Des Allemands and a 1994 Buick Lesabre, driven by Shane Morgan, 19. of Gray, La. The Mercury entered the right lane of U.S. 90 west, from a private driveway, entering the path of the Buick. The Buick then struck the rear of the Mercury at which time the rear passenger, a 1-year-old child, who was not restrained in a  child safety seat suffered serious head injuries as a result of the crash.

The child was transported to Elmwood Medical Center  and is in guarded condition. Ashley Falcon, the front right passenger of the Mercury, was also seriously injured in the crash.

Matherne was arrested and  charged with negligent injury, failure to yield, expired driver’s license, child restraint, no seat belt and a fugitive from the Kenner Police Department. 

It is unclear if Mathrene was impaired at the time of the accident.  Officials are awaiting results of a toxicology test.

Louisiana State Police Troop B is still investigating the accident.