Webster Parish – On May 16, 2020, shortly after 8:30 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 163 south of Louisiana Highway 164. This crash took the life of 51-year-old Rebecca Woodard of Minden.
The preliminary investigation revealed Woodard’s vehicle, identified as a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer, became disabled at a railroad crossing while traveling south on Louisiana Highway 163. Woodard and a juvenile exited the vehicle and tried to push the vehicle off of the railroad tracks as a train was approaching the crossing. Their attempt to remove the vehicle was unsuccessful, and the train hit the passenger side of the vehicle.
Woodard sustained life-threatening injuries during the crash and was transported to a local hospital where she later succumbed to these injuries. The juvenile, who helped push the vehicle, was uninjured in the crash but was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. A second juvenile, who was inside of the vehicle during the crash, sustained moderate injuries during the crash and was transported to a local hospital. A toxicology sample was obtained and will be submitted for analysis. This crash still remains under investigation.