St. Martin Parish – At approximately 5:30 a.m., on February 4, 2021, Troopers from Louisiana State Police
Troop I began investigating a single-vehicle crash on Federal Highway 90 near Le Triomphe Parkway in St.
Martin Parish. The crash took the life of 64-year-old Karlina F. Rosella of New Iberia.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Rosella was driving west on US 90 in
a 2008 Kia Amanti. For unknown reasons, Rosella’s vehicle ran off the roadway into the median. The Kia struck
a curb, went airborne and overturned. Upon doing so, Rosella was ejected from the vehicle.
Rosella was unrestrained at the time of the crash. She pronounced deceased at the scene by the St. Martin Parish
Coroner’s Office. Impairment is unknown but a standard toxicology sample was obtained for analysis. This crash
remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that, while not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that
the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor
vehicles such as never driving while impaired and always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often
mean the difference between life and death.
Troop I has investigated 6 fatal crashes resulting in 7 deaths in 2021.