Lake Charles woman killed in 3-vehicle crash in Calcasieu Parish
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KLFY) -- A Lake Charles woman died Friday afternoon in a 3-vehicle crash in Calcasieu Parish, authorities said.
The crash claimed the life of Donna Chimeno, 60, of Lake Charles.
Louisiana State Police Troop D began investigating a three-vehicle fatal crash shortly before 5 p.m. Friday on Nelson Road near the intersection of Plantation Drive in Calcasieu Parish.
Investigators said Chimeno was driving a 2019 Honda HR-V south on Nelson Road in the outside lane. At the same time, a 2024 Jeep Cherokee was also traveling south on Nelson Road in the inside lane.
For reasons still under investigation, the Honda switched lanes to the left, directly in the Jeep's path. The front of the Jeep struck the rear of the Honda, causing the Honda to travel across the centerline and into the northbound inside lane of Nelson Road. After crossing the centerline, the Honda struck a 2022 Ford delivery van head-on.
Chimeno was pronounced dead at the scene. Both of the Ford’s occupants and the Jeep’s sole occupant were uninjured.
Impairment is not suspected. Standard toxicology samples were collected from all three drivers and submitted for analysis.