KAPLAN, LA — Louisiana State Police Troop I is actively investigating a devastating single-vehicle crash that occurred late Saturday night, May 17, in Vermilion Parish. The incident, which took place just outside the city limits of Kaplan, resulted in the death of a 40-year-old woman from Crowley, Louisiana.

According to preliminary reports from state troopers, the fatal crash happened around 11:15 p.m. on LA Highway 700, a rural stretch of road located approximately five miles south of Kaplan. For reasons still under investigation, the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling northbound when she lost control of the vehicle. The car veered off the right side of the highway and struck a culvert, causing it to overturn multiple times before coming to a rest in a ditch.

Emergency personnel responded swiftly to the scene, where they discovered the driver — later identified as 40-year-old Amanda LeBlanc of Crowley — unresponsive inside the vehicle. Despite the efforts of first responders, LeBlanc was pronounced dead at the scene by the Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office. She was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Authorities confirmed that LeBlanc was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision, which may have contributed to the severity of her injuries. Toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis, as is standard procedure in all fatal crash investigations. It is currently unknown if impairment was a factor in the incident.

Troop I spokespersons emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing. Crash reconstruction experts are examining all possible contributing factors, including road conditions, vehicle speed, and potential mechanical failures. No other vehicles or individuals were involved in the crash.

The Louisiana State Police used this tragic event to issue a renewed reminder to motorists about the importance of always wearing a seatbelt. “Proper restraint usage can often mean the difference between life and death,” said a Troop I representative. “We urge all drivers and passengers to buckle up, every trip, every time.”

This fatality marks yet another tragedy on Louisiana’s rural highways, where single-vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of roadway deaths. State Police continue to partner with local agencies and community leaders to promote traffic safety awareness, especially in areas where speed limits, narrow roads, and limited lighting can increase the risk of serious accidents.

Family members of Amanda LeBlanc are being notified, and the community is beginning to mourn the loss of a life cut tragically short. No funeral arrangements have been announced as of this time.

Troop I, headquartered in Lafayette, covers eight parishes in south-central Louisiana and handles a significant volume of traffic enforcement and crash investigations. They encourage anyone with additional information about the crash to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.