Victims identified in Natchitoches Parish triple fatal crash

NATCHITOCHES PARISH, LA (KSLA) - The Louisiana State Police and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office are investigating a wreck that claimed the lives of three people.

It happened just after 5:00 Sunday evening on Highway 71 South just south of Clarence.

According to the sheriff's office, the wreck involved two vehicles. Three people have died and four others are seriously injured.

Louisiana State Police say a 2014 Nissan Sentra, driven by 41-year-old Stacey Lachney was northbound on US Highway 71, when it reportedly crossed the center line and collided with a southbound 2001 Pontiac driven by 31-year-old Jennifer Tell.

Lachney was wearing her seat belt, but was pronounced dead at the scene. Her only passenger, 22-year-old Chelsee Martin of Pineville, was also wearing her seat belt. She suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Natchitoches Regional Hospital.
Tell was wearing her seat belt, but was pronounced dead at the scene. Brian West, a passenger in Tell's vehicle, also died as a result of the wreck.

Police say three juveniles were also passengers in Tell's vehicle. They were restrained, and two received minor injuries. Family tells KSLA News 12 the third juvenile suffered severe brain trauma and several broken bones and remains in ICU.

They were transported to Natchitoches Regional Hospital and Rapides Regional Trauma Center for treatment.

The victims were from Pineville and Montgomery, Louisiana.

Routine toxicology tests are pending.

The crash remains under investigation.

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