Natchitoches Parish – Early this morning, March 30, a single vehicle crash killed a woman from Galveston, Texas.

Troopers responded to the crash around 5:30 a.m., which occurred on Hwy. 9, north of Campti. The crash involved a 2003 Chevrolet van, driven by Alberto C. Saligumba, 62 of Galveston. The Chevrolet was southbound on Hwy. 9 when Saligumba lost control and exited the right side of the roadway. After exiting the roadway, the vehicle collided with a tree.

Saligumba was wearing a seat belt and suffered minor injuries. His only passenger, identified as Maria Imelda E. Saligumba, 51, was wearing her seat belt. However, she was pronounced dead.

Routine toxicology tests are pending. The crash remains under investigation.

While not all crashes are survivable, seat belts can greatly decrease the occupant’s chance of death and will greatly reduce the extent of injury.

Troop E Troopers have investigated thirteen fatal crashes in 2017, resulting in eighteen fatalities.