4 Gibson teens die in wreck

Four Gibson teens died, and one was critically injured, in a one-vehicle car crash early Sunday, Louisiana State Police Troop C reported.

State police said the teens – all cousins, according to the Associated Press – were traveling in a stolen 2005 Nissan Sentra that was taken from Morgan City on Friday.

Troop C spokesman Gilbert Dardar said the teens did not steal the vehicle. However, it is unknown how they got it.

Morgan City Police is investigating the stolen vehicle incident. Capt. Mike Marino is handling that investigation and charges are pending.

Demetrius Trahan, 15, was driving the vehicle, state police reported. The vehicle was traveling westbound in the 6200 block of North Bayou Black Drive when Trahan crossed the centerline of the road in a right curve and ran off the left shoulder.

State police said the vehicle traveled approximately 89 feet from the roadway before striking a tree head-on. Dardar said speeding is suspected to be a factor in the crash.

There were four other occupants in the vehicle with Trahan, all of whom were killed in the crash. None of them were wearing a seat belt during the crash. However, Dardar reported that none of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle.

Besides Trahan, Donta Stewart, 18, Dominic Hanzy, 16, and Joshua Trahan, 18, were killed.

Dardar said the rear left passenger, Darius Stewart, 17, was transported to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center in critical condition Sunday.

On Monday, Dardar said Darius Stewart was still in critical condition, but was transported to University Hospital in New Orleans.

Dardar said it is unknown if Trahan was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, toxicology reports are pending from the Terrebonne Parish Coroner’s Office. Trooper Christopher Mason is continuing his investigation of the crash.