Rayne Woman Arrested for Vehicular Homicide After Fatal Lafayette Parish Crash

A 40-year-old Rayne woman is facing multiple charges, including vehicular homicide and driving while impaired, following an overnight crash in Lafayette Parish that claimed the life of a 28-year-old woman from Abbeville.

According to Louisiana State Police, the deadly crash happened shortly after midnight on Saturday, October 31, 2026, along Louisiana Highway 343 near Ridge Road, just outside Duson.

Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop I responded to the two-vehicle crash and determined that one of the drivers had been struck from behind while slowing for a stop sign.

What Louisiana State Police Say Happened

According to the preliminary investigation, a 2014 Kia Optima was traveling south on LA Highway 343 and slowing down as it approached the stop sign at Ridge Road.

At the same time, a 2011 Buick LaCrosse, driven by 40-year-old Shawnta Davis-Ned of Rayne, was traveling south behind the Kia.

For reasons that remain under investigation, troopers say Davis-Ned failed to slow down and crashed into the rear of the Kia.

The 28-year-old Abbeville woman driving the Kia suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

State Police confirmed that the victim was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Her identity was not included in the initial release.

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Rayne Woman Arrested After Breath Test

During the investigation, troopers administered a breath test to Davis-Ned, which reportedly revealed a blood alcohol concentration above Louisiana's legal limit.

Authorities say Davis-Ned was also not wearing a seatbelt but reported no injuries from the crash.

Following the investigation at the scene, Davis-Ned was arrested and booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on the following charges:

• Vehicular homicide

• Driving while impaired, first offense

• Careless operation

• No seatbelt

A routine toxicology sample was also collected from the deceased driver and submitted for analysis.

Fatal Lafayette Parish Crash Remains Under Investigation

Louisiana State Police say the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

The collision occurred in the early morning hours of Halloween, leaving family and loved ones mourning the loss of a 28-year-old Abbeville woman.

Troopers have not released additional information about what may have caused Davis-Ned to fail to slow down before striking the Kia.

Additional details may become available as investigators continue their work and toxicology results are processed.

The charges against Davis-Ned are accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.