Gretna, LA (March 10, 2026) – A 14-year-old girl was killed on Saturday morning, March 7, after a vehicle crashed into a tree and a parked truck in Gretna.
According to the Gretna Police Department, the crash occurred around 11 a.m. near Hero Drive. Authorities say a BMW left the roadway for reasons that remain under investigation before striking a tree and then a parked truck. The 14-year-old girl, who was seated in the back of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the BMW, a 25-year-old woman, was transported to a local hospital. Officials reported that she is in stable condition.
Investigators are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway.
Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased.
Understanding Run-Off-Road Crashes
Run-off-road crashes occur when a vehicle leaves the travel lane and strikes objects such as trees, utility poles, guardrails, or parked vehicles. These incidents can happen for several reasons, including driver distraction, speeding, fatigue, or sudden attempts to avoid hazards in the road.
When a vehicle leaves the roadway, there is often little space for drivers to recover control before hitting a fixed object. Impacts with trees and other solid obstacles can be especially severe because the object does not move or absorb much of the crash energy.
These crashes can be particularly dangerous for passengers, especially those seated in the rear of the vehicle, highlighting the importance of seat belt use and attentive driving to reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
