Suspect charged with vehicular homicide
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a crash that killed a Franklin woman and her 1-year-old son Tuesday in Iberia Parish, a state police Troop I news release said.
Dylan LeBlanc, 25, of Youngsville, was arrested Wednesday on a warrant charging him with two counts of vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular negligent injuring, first-degree feticide and reckless operation, said Master Trooper Brooks David, Troop I spokesman.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Troop I was notified of a fatal crash on U.S. 90 west of La. 85. The crash claimed the life of Abbie Sinitiere, 22, of Franklin and her 1-year-old son, Max Sinitiere.
The preliminary investigation revealed LeBlanc was operating a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado on U.S. 90 West. For unknown reasons, the Silverado ran off of the right side of the roadway causing LeBlanc to overcorrect, the release said.
The Silverado began to rotate counterclockwise, crossing both westbound lanes and the center median. As the Silverado entered the eastbound lanes of U.S. 90, it struck an eastbound 2017 Chrysler Pacifica operated by Abbie Sinitiere, the release stated.
Abbie Sinitiere was wearing a seat belt, but suffered fatal injuries. Max Sinitiere was properly restrained in a child safety seat, but also suffered fatal injuries. Both were pronounced dead on scene by the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office, David said.
Three other juvenile passengers in the Chrysler were properly restrained and sustained critical injuries, David said. LeBlanc and his 41-year-old passenger were both wearing seat belts and sustained moderate injuries. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment, the release stated. Upon release from the hospital, LeBlanc will be booked into the Iberia Parish jail.
Impairment is suspected to be a factor in the crash, and an arrest warrant was issued for LeBlanc, the release stated. Despite the fact that impairment on her part is not suspected, a standard toxicology sample was obtained from Sinitiere and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis, the release said. This crash remains under investigation.