Update on four car accident in Abbeville, driver of SUV gets three tickets

On Monday, officers with the Abbeville Police Department responded to a crash on U.S. Hwy. 167 (Park Ave.) near the intersection of La. Hwy. 14 (the by-pass) to investigate a major crash. Upon officers arrival, they observed a four-vehicle crash.
Upon investigation, officers stated in the report the driver, Rita Whitney of Maurice, of a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe, was traveling north on US Hwy. 167 in the lefthand lane approaching the intersection of La. Hwy. 14.
For reasons still under investigation, Whitney suddenly switched lanes, sideswiping a Pontiac Sunfire, driven by Dustin Renard of Abbeville. The Sunfire was stopped for the stop light in the right lane.
After colliding with the Sunfire, Whitney continued to travel forward then sideswiped a Honda Civic, driven by Emma Thibeaux of Maurice, which was stopped for the stop light in the left lane of US Hwy. 167.
Whitney continued to travel forward side- swiping a Ford Focus, driven by Melissa Williams of Maurice, which was also stopped for the stop light.
Whitney continued traveling forward into the middle of the intersection of US Hwy. 167 and LA Hwy. 14 before coming to rest. Three of the four vehicles had to be removed by wreckers, due to damage.
Acadian Ambulance and Abbeville Fire Department responded to the scene. No one was transported to the hospital.
Abbeville Police received the call at 4:30 p.m. and did not leave the scene until 6 p.m.
Whitney was issued three citations, and Renard was also issued a citation.
The investigation was led by the Abbeville Police Department.
In all, Abbeville Police worked nine crashes Monday.
LeLand Laster, senior patrol officer for APD, said drivers need to obey traffic laws, be aware of their surroundings and other drivers, and most of all, drive carefully.