A Lake Charles woman was killed in a Friday evening crash on Nelson Road near its intersection with Plantation Drive.

Louisiana State Police Troop D spokesperson Trooper Matt Gaspard said the crash claimed the life of  60-year-old Donna Chimeno.

Gaspard said Chimeno was driving a 2019 Honda HR-V south on Nelson Road in the outside lane. At the same time, a 2024 Jeep Cherokee was also traveling south on Nelson Road in the inside lane.

“For reasons still under investigation, the Honda switched lanes to the left, directly in the Jeep’s path,” Gaspard said. “The front of the Jeep struck the rear of the Honda, causing the Honda to travel across the centerline and into the northbound inside lane of Nelson Road. After crossing the centerline, the Honda struck a 2022 Ford delivery van head-on.”

Chimeno, who was properly restrained at the time of the crash, received fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene, Gaspard said.

Both of the Ford’s occupants and the Jeep’s sole occupant were restrained properly and uninjured, he said.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kayla Vincent said an off-duty CPSO deputy, driving an unmarked unit, was involved in the crash.

Gaspard said impairment is not suspected; standard toxicology samples were collected from all three drivers and submitted for analysis.