LAFAYETTE PARISH, LA — A 28-year-old Abbeville woman died early Saturday in a two-vehicle crash on La. 343 near Ridge Road in Lafayette Parish, and State Police arrested a Rayne woman on a DWI-related charge after investigators said her car struck the victim’s vehicle from behind. The victim was not immediately identified.

The Facts

• What: A rear-end crash on La. 343 killed one driver and led to an arrest on DWI-related charges.
• Where: Near Ridge Road on La. 343 in Lafayette Parish.
• When: Shortly after midnight Saturday.
• Who: The victim was a 28-year-old Abbeville woman; the other driver was identified as 40-year-old Shawnta Davis-Ned of Rayne.
• Charges: Vehicular homicide, first-offense driving while impaired, careless operation and failure to wear a seat belt.
• Status: Davis-Ned was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center; toxicology testing on the victim is pending.

What police say

Louisiana State Police said the victim was driving a 2014 Kia Optima south on La. 343 and slowing for a stop sign when the Buick LaCrosse behind her hit the back of the Kia. Investigators said the impact happened soon after midnight on Saturday.

Police said the Kia driver was not wearing a seat belt and suffered fatal injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not been released.

State Police said the Buick driver, Shawnta Davis-Ned, also was not wearing a seat belt. Davis-Ned reported no injuries, according to investigators.

Investigators said Davis-Ned provided a breath sample that showed a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit.

The investigation

State Police handled the crash as a fatality investigation, which is standard in serious wrecks where alcohol or possible impairment is involved. That usually means troopers document the scene, inspect both vehicles, review roadway conditions and gather statements from any witnesses.

In cases like this, toxicology testing is often used to confirm or compare findings from field observations and breath testing. Those lab results can take time, and they may be part of a broader file reviewed by prosecutors later.

State Police did not list a tip line or ask for public information in this case. When agencies do seek help, they typically ask motorists who saw the vehicles before the crash or anyone with dash-camera video to come forward.

What the charges mean

Vehicular homicide is a serious felony charge that can be filed when prosecutors believe impaired or reckless driving caused a death. The charge does not itself decide guilt; that question is handled through the court process.

First-offense driving while impaired is the kind of charge often brought when a driver is accused of operating a vehicle with alcohol impairment and has no reported prior conviction for the same offense. Careless operation refers to driving in a way that is unsafe under the circumstances.

Failure to wear a seat belt is usually a traffic offense. In fatal crash cases, charges can be added together when investigators believe several violations contributed to the outcome or help explain what happened.

What happens next

Davis-Ned’s case will move through the parish court process after booking, which can include an initial appearance, bond issues and later hearings on the evidence. Prosecutors will decide how to proceed based on the police report, lab results and any additional findings.

In fatal crashes, the investigation can continue even after an arrest. Additional testing, reconstruction work or witness statements may be reviewed before final charging decisions are made.

Have information on a crime? Contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).