By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

GONZALES — Drug use may have played a role in a fatal wreck that has a Reserve man facing a vehicular homicide charge, authorities said.

Louisiana State Police Troop A spokesman Jared L. Sandifer said at approximately 7 a.m. Wednesday, Troopers began investigating a two-vehicle, fatal crash on Louisiana 74 east of I-10 in Gonzales.

The crash took the life of 15-year-old Claire Carline of Prairieville.

The initial investigation revealed the crash occurred as 19-year-old Dwight P. Perrilloux III of Reserve was driving a 2006 Dodge Charger eastbound on Louisiana 74.

“At the same time, 17-year-old Camille Carline was driving with her two sisters in a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic westbound on Louisiana 74,” Sandifer said. “As Perrilloux crossed over the I-10 overpass, he came upon stopped traffic. Troopers believe that in an attempt to avoid striking the stopped traffic, Perrilloux took evasive action by entering into the westbound lane of travel. Upon doing so the Charger struck the Sonic head on.”

It is unknown how fast Perrilloux was traveling as he approached the stopped traffic.

Claire Carline was riding in the rear seat of the Sonic, Sandifer said, and suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Troopers believe she was not wearing her seatbelt properly at the time of the crash.

Camille Carline and her 16-year-old sister, the front seat passenger, were properly restrained. Both were taken from the scene to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge.

Sandifer said the victims are in stable condition and did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Driver impairment on Carline’s part is not suspected.

Despite the fact he was properly restrained, Perrilloux was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Gonzales with moderate injuries.

“Troopers suspect that driver impairment on his part was a factor in the crash, and a toxicology sample was taken from him and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis,” Sandifer said.

Sandifer said Perrilloux showed signs of impairment, but would not go into specific detail. However, he said Troopers suspect narcotics use by Perrilloux.

After being released from the hospital, Perrilloux was taken to the Ascension Parish Jail and booked for vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular negligent injuring, DWI and reckless operation.

Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Troop A at 225-754-8500 or local law enforcement.