Henderson – State Troopers have arrested the driver of a car that caused a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 near the Butte La Rose exit that led to the death of a 13-year-old passenger in one vehicle. As part of the ongoing investigation, standard toxicology samples collected from the driver of the Hyundai Elantra, 22-year-old Ezekiel Clawson, were submitted for analysis.
The toxicology results indicated that Clawson was impaired at the time of the crash.
Based on those findings, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop I obtained an arrest warrant for Clawson through the 16th Judicial District Court on the following charges: • Vehicular Homicide; • Vehicular Negligent Injuring;
• Reckless Operation of a Vehicle;
• First Degree Vehicular Negligent Injuring;
• Child Passenger Restraint (3 counts);
• No Seatbelt;
• and DWI First Offense with Child Endangerment.
Clawson was arrested and booked into the St. Martin Parish Jail on the outstanding warrant on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
State police began investigating the crash shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 12. The crash remains under investigation.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2013 Hyundai Elantra was traveling west on I-10 in the left lane. At the same time, a 2020 Ram ProMaster was traveling west on I-10 in the right lane.
For reasons still under investigation, the Hyundai traveled from the left lane into the right lane, struck the concrete barrier, and then struck the rear of the Ram. After impact, both vehicles struck concrete barriers.
A 13-year-old passenger in the Hyundai, who was unrestrained, sustained critical injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, where she later died on Sept. 15. The teen was a resident of Bellevue.
The driver and three additional passengers were also unrestrained and transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of the passengers was an infant in a child safety seat; however, the child safety seat was not properly secured to the vehicle.
The driver of the Ram, who was properly restrained, reported no injuries.
The driver of the Ram showed no signs of impairment and voluntarily submitted to a breath test, which showed no alcohol detected.
Impaired driving remains a leading factor in serious injury and fatality crashes. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to drive responsibly and never get behind the wheel impaired.
