Chauvin woman dies in single-car crash

A Chauvin woman was killed early Tuesday afternoon after she completed a pass while traveling south on the two-lane Bourg Larose Highway (La. 24) near the Grand Bois Community, said state Trooper First Class Rodney Hyatt.

Dana Chouest, 25, driving a 2002 Ford Explorer SUV, finished the pass but “left the road to the right and began to roll over,” according to a press release.

The roof of the SUV struck a tree, the release said. Chouest was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office.

Hyatt said that, based on “witness statements, we believe the SUV passed more than one car.”

He said also that Chouest’s maneuver “may have been an illegal pass, but it’s still early in the investigation.”

Shana Pierce (Chouest’s niece), 15, of Chauvin, and Chouest’s children, Katelynn Thibodaux, 4, and Hailey Thibodaux, 3, were passengers in the SUV when it crashed into the tree.

The three were taken to Terrebonne General Medical Center by Acadian Ambulance with minor injuries, the release stated.

All four occupants of the SUV were “properly restrained,” Hyatt said. Chouest’s children, seated in the rear, “were in child restraint seats proper for their ages,” he said.

Chouest’s actions “may have been an attempt to pass in a no-passing zone,” he said. “You can’t start (to overtake the car in front) in a passing zone, and end up in a no-passing zone.”

The crash occurred where La. 24 curves slightly to the left, he said. The road was wet at the time of the accident.

Hyatt added, “I believe the (occupants of) the cars she was passing may have helped her” after the crash.

State police do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident, which happened at 1:15 p.m.

However, blood samples from Chouest will be “sent to a lab for analysis,” the release stated.

No charges were filed as a result of the accident.