Gibsland, Louisiana – A Texas woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 in Bienville Parish on Sunday evening.
According to the Louisiana State Police, troopers from Troop G responded around 5 p.m. to the crash near Louisiana Highway 154. The collision involved a 2010 GMC Acadia that exited the westbound lanes of Interstate 20 and struck a parked 18-wheeler. The crash claimed the life of 32-year-old Lauren Carkeet of Lewisville, Texas.
Preliminary findings indicate the SUV, driven by 29-year-old Joshua Ware of Prosper, Texas, veered off the roadway for unknown reasons before hitting the parked truck, which was occupied at the time. Carkeet, who was in the front passenger seat, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are still determining whether she was properly restrained.
Ware, who was reportedly wearing a seatbelt, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. The driver of the parked truck was not injured. Impairment is not suspected at this time, but toxicology samples were collected from Ware as part of the ongoing investigation.
Troopers reiterated the importance of avoiding distractions, fatigue, or impairment while driving, emphasizing that even survivable crashes can turn deadly without proper precautions.
Anyone with additional information regarding the crash is encouraged to contact Trooper Eddie Thomas at the Louisiana State Police Troop G office.
