Shortly before 6:30 AM, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L responded to a two vehicle fatal crash on US 190 west of Lacombe in St. Tammany Parish. The crash claimed the life of 23 year-old Angela Maria Mangini of Slidell, LA.

The preliminary investigation led crash scene investigators to determine Mangini was driving a Ford Crown Victoria westbound on US 190. For reasons still under investigation, Mangini’s vehicle exited the right side of the roadway. Mangini overcorrected to the left, causing her vehicle to begin to rotate counter-clockwise as it traveled into the eastbound lane. At the same time, a Ford pickup driven by 48 year-old Anthony Andrew Batiste of Lacombe was traveling eastbound on US 190. Batiste took evasive action by steering to the right and traveling partially onto the right eastbound shoulder. Despite Batiste’s actions to avoid the crash, the right side of Mangini’s vehicle was struck in a “T-Bone” collision by the front of Batiste’s truck. Mangini suffered severe injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Batiste and his front seat passenger, 37 year-old Anthony Roberts also of Lacombe, LA, were both transported to Slidell Memorial Hospital with moderate to severe injuries. All parties involved in the crash were properly restrained. Presently, Troopers do not suspect alcohol to have been a factor in this crash. Blood samples were obtained from both drivers and will be sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.

The decisions made behind the wheel of an automobile have consequences that could be life changing. While this crash remains under investigation, Troopers would like to reintegrate the importance of making good decisions behind the wheel. Please avoid all distractions, put on your seatbelt and never drive impaired. By simply heeding this advice, your chances of being involved in a fatal crash are drastically reduced.

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