Central Area Teens Involved in Fatal Crash in Assumption Parish

Saturday evening, three area teens were involved in a car accident.  Steven Whiddon, who suffered fatal injuries, was a 2009 graduate of Central Private School after attending the school for all l3 years of his education.  Mary (Izzy) Danehower, a 2009 Central High School graduate, received serious injuries.  The press release from the Louisiana State Police follows.

Assumption- On Saturday, June 26, 2010, at approximately 11:55 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop C investigated a single vehicle crash on LA 1016-2 in Assumption Parish that claimed the life of a teen from Baton Rouge, LA.

Taylor C. Hancock, (W/M, 19 of Baton Rouge, LA), was operating a 2008 GMC pickup northbound on LA 1016-2 in Belle River, LA. Hancock’s vehicle, for unknown reasons, ran off the northbound lane into a ditch striking the culvert at Cypress Street. The vehicle exited the ditch airborne striking a tree and came to rest off of the northbound shoulder.

Hancock received no injuries. Mary E. Danehower, (W/F, 19 of Gonzales, LA.), who was the right front passenger, received serious injuries and was transported to Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge, LA. Steven D. Whiddon, (W/M, 19 of Baton Rouge, LA.), left rear passenger, was ejected and received fatal injuries. Whiddon was pronounced dead at the scene by the Assumption Parish Coroner and was transported to the morgue.

All three occupants were not properly restrained. Louisiana law requires everyone in the vehicle to be properly restrained and not to drive impaired.

Impairment, speed, and not being properly restrained are factors in the crash. A breath test was given to Taylor C. Hancock which resulted in a blood alcohol concentration in excess of the legal limit. Charges in the crash are as follows: Improper Lane Usage, Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Negligent Injury, No Seat Belt, Open Container in a Vehicle, and Possession of a Fraudulent Driver License. Taylor C. Hancock was booked at the Assumption Parish Jail. Troopers are still continuing their investigation.