Shortly after 1:30 am on Friday, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a single vehicle fatality crash on U.S. 61 north of LA Hwy 965 in West Feliciana Parish. The crash claimed the life of 18-year-old Makenna Tunstall of Moss Point, Mississippi.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Tunstall was driving a 2009 Saturn Aura northbound on U.S. 61.

For unknown reasons, the Saturn ran off the roadway to the left and entered the median. The vehicle then re-entered the northbound lanes of travel on U.S. 61 and proceeded to travel off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle then collided head-on with a tree bordering the roadway.

Tunstall was unrestrained at the time of the crash. She suffered fatal injuries as a result and was pronounced deceased on scene by the West Feliciana Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment is unknown at this time. A toxicology sample was obtained from Tunstall and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants in a vehicle must be restrained, regardless of seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired and always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.