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Rayne youth dies in crash

State Police say 11-year-old was not restrained

 An 11-year-old Rayne girl was killed in a one-vehicle crash Friday night.
Investigators from the Louisiana State Police said Matiya Zachary was ejected from the vehicle in which she was a passenger and sustained fatal injuries.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred shortly after 11:30 p.m. Friday on Louisiana Highway 98 near Louisiana Highway 1101.
The initial investigation revealed that the crash occurred as 35 year-old Tashaka Butler of Rayne was traveling westbound on Louisiana 98 in a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe.  For unknown reasons, Butler ran off of the left side of the roadway and over-corrected, causing the vehicle to overturn.
Butler  was not wearing a seat belt and sustained minor injuries.  She was transported to a local hospital and treated for injuries sustained in the crash.
Three other passengers from Rayne, 60 year old Alice Butler, and two juveniles were also unrestrained. All three were transported to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.
It is unknown if impairment is a factor in this crash, but standard toxicology samples were taken from Tashaka Butler and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.  
This crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that distracted driving continues to be a major problem throughout Louisiana. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death.
Troop I has investigated 39 fatality crashes resulting in 40 deaths as of this date in 2016.

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