ATV operator dies in accident on La. 450 and 16
Published 3:20 pm Friday, April 4, 2014
A 21-year-old Franklinton woman died Wednesday when the four-wheeler she was operating drove into the path of another motorist on Louisiana Highway 450 and La. 16.
Louisiana State Police Troop L Master Trooper Greg Marchand said Cynamon A. Warden was operating a Kawasaki four-wheeler and headed southbound on La. 450, and a Nissan Maxima driven by Margaret A. Harris, 73, of Franklinton, was westbound on La. 16. Warden was approaching La. 16, disregarded a stop sign and a flashing red signal light, and entered the intersection into the path of the Nissan, Marchand said. The Kawasaki was struck on the left side by the front of the Nissan, and it overturned several times. Marchand said Warden was not wearing a helmet, was ejected and received life threatening injuries.
The accident occurred about 12:55 p.m.
Warden was initially transported to St. Tammany Parish Hospital and then air-lifted to the Interim LSU Hospital LEVEL 1 Trauma Center in New Orleans, where she later was pronounced dead.
Marchand said Harris was restrained and was not injured. He said she voluntarily submitted to a chemical test, and no detectable alcohol was found in her system. A blood sample was collected from Warden for a routine toxicological analysis, and those results are pending as this crash remains under investigation, Marchand said.
Troopers urge motorists to always remain attentive behind the wheel, obey posted stop signs and traffic control signals and to properly buckle up.
Troopers also remind ATV users about the importance of wearing a helmet when operating or riding on an ATV. Information about Louisiana State Law regarding ATV operation on public roadways can be found at www.legis. la.gov/legis/LawSearch.aspx under Louisiana Revised Statute (LRS) 32:299.