3-car crash claims Montegut woman

A 70-year-old Montegut woman was killed Tuesday night after a motorist driving a stolen vehicle attempted to pass in a restricted zone and hit her vehicle head-on. State police said the crash happened shortly before 11:30 p.m. on La. Highway 659, just north of La. Highway 3087.

Troop C spokesman Trooper Evan Harrell said Gregory Poindexter, 32, of Houma, attempted to pass a Camry in a no-passing zone when he collided head-on with an oncoming 2004 Ford Focus, which Lindy Bascle was driving. The impact sent Poindexter’s Maxima rotating counterclockwise back into the Camry he initially tried to pass, Harrell said.

Ponitdexter was not wearing a seat belt, Harrell said. He received only minor injuries and was treated at Terrebonne General Medical Center. The driver of the Camry, Terri McKever, 18, of Houma, also suffered minor injuries and was treated at TGMC.

Harrell said Bascle was not wearing a seat belt. The Terrebonne Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced her dead at the scene.

Around the time of the crash, Houma Police were investigating the theft of a 2000 Nissan Maxima at the Blue Diamond Lounge on Main Street. The owner of the Nissan told police the car had been involved in a crash on La. Highway 659, the trooper said.

Blood results from the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab are pending, Harrell said. State police suspect Poindexter was under the influence of alcohol. Routine toxicology tests are also pending for Bascle and McKever, although state police do not suspect either consumed alcohol prior to the crash.

Meanwhile, Poindexter is facing vehicular homicide, vehicular negligent injuring (two counts), passing in a no passing zone, no seat belt and no driver’s license charges, as well as one count of theft of a motor vehicle. He is being held at the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Complex.