3-vehicle crash involving cement truck leaves grandmother dead

PRAIRIEVILLE, LA (WAFB) - Danielle Faust was one of countless drivers turned around by a police roadblock.

"Oh, we didn't imagine. Me and my friend pulled up and were like, wait, what is going on," Danielle Faust said.

State police investigators said Carolyn Brouillette, 56, was traveling south on Highway 73 in a Lincoln when Ashton Claiborne, 29, who was driving the white SUV tried to pass her. Troopers said when Claiborne crossed the double yellow lines he collided with a cement truck. Troopers said the Mack truck spun out and hit Brouillette's car, killing her.

Jerry Jarreau who lives in the area said he has seen similar tragedies here.

"Years ago the speed limit on this road used to be 60. Some older people still drive that. I've had people pass me in the yellow lines," Jarreau said.

Leann Dempster, an owner of Ike's Fix It Shop, has gotten an eye full since the business opened its doors along the highway some 40 years ago. She said things were much different then.

"Years ago we could walk down the road and the traffic was nothing," Dempster explained.

Not anymore.

"There's a lot of plant traffic using this road. A mile behind us there's a new primary school been there several years. There's a school zone. You've got several intersections, a lot of people moving into the area and a lot of people for work," Jarreau said.

Highway 73 has become a cut through for some who want to avoid traffic on Airline Highway. Faust said, at times, it looks more like a speedway.

"I'll come down this road and people are constantly speeding and I don't get the point of passing and speeding on these roads there's tons of cars," Faust said.

9News has learned Claiborne was ticketed for careless operation and driving with a suspended license during a crash in June.

His previous record also includes DWI, improper lane use, and speeding.

State police say it is unknown if impairment was a factor in the crash.  Toxicology samples from all three drivers have been sent to the State Police Crime Lab for testing.

The crash is still under investigation. LA-73 between Airline Hwy. and LA-42 has reopened.

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