PORT ALLEN, La. (BRPROUD) – The Louisiana State Police are investigating after a child was killed in a crash in West Baton Rouge Saturday.
State police said Braelynn Washington, 9, was killed after a 2017 Jeep Cherokee and a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer crashed head-on as the jeep was trying to make a left turn at an intersection on LA 415.
According to state police, everyone in the Jeep wore seatbelts and were uninjured. The driver and rear passenger of the Chevrolet were not wearing seatbelts and were moderately injured.
Police said Washington was in the front passenger seat of the Chevrolet and was critically injured. She was sent to a hospital but died from her injuries.
State police said impairment is unknown for both drivers. The crash is under
investigation. Troopers will send evidence to the West Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s office for evaluation.
“The proper use of child safety seats saves lives and prevents injuries. Child safety seats offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash; however, approximately three out of four car seats are not used correctly,” state police said.
