Walker High Senior cheerleader killed in car wreck last night...UPDATE: arrest made

Arrest made:

LINK

DENHAM SPRINGS — The Denham Springs Police Dept. has made an arrest in connection with the tragic accident that claimed the life of Walker High School student Blakeleigh Weems.

The arrest follows two months after the deadly New Year’s Day crash. The investigation, requiring an accident reconstruction, prolonged the arrest process, sources tell UWK.

On Wednesday morning, March 6, 2024, Shawn Robertson, 31, of Baton Rouge, was arrested at a home in Baton Rouge, sources tell UWK. He is facing charges of negligent homicide, reckless operation, second offense DWI, operating a vehicle while under suspension for certain prior offenses, and not wearing a seat belt.

The New Year’s Day crash

Walker senior Blakeleigh Weems was at a traffic light, coming off the exit ramp at I-12 westbound in Denham Springs at Range Ave., less than an hour into 2024.

Simultaneously, Shawn Robertson was heading north on Range Ave. and collided with Weems’ car on the driver’s side. Although rushed to a hospital, the 17-year-old did not survive her injuries. The passenger in her vehicle sustained minor injuries.

Robertson also suffered minor injuries but declined transport to a hospital. His mother arrived at the scene to take him home.

Weems’ blood alcohol concentration that night was 0.0, according to her parents, who received their information from DSPD. Her parents, Nelson Weems and Chasity Johnstone, say that Denham Springs police told them that Shawn Robertson’s B.A.C. was .09 when tested nearly three hours after the crash. They also say that police told them that Robertson had THC in his system.

Shawn Robertson’s arrest had been pending for several weeks, awaiting the completion of an accident reconstruction report by the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, as DSPD lacks its own reconstructionist. The report was finalized last week and provided to DSPD on March 4, 2024.

According to credible sources, the reconstruction report indicates that Robertson was allegedly nearly 30 miles over the posted 45 mph speed limit. At the time of the crash, he was reportedly going at least 70 mph, in addition to allegedly being intoxicated. Consequently, DSPD has charged Robertson with negligent homicide and reckless operation, alongside the other charges.

WBRZ article on this accident

They said impairment is suspected in one of the drivers. Dangerous roads on NYE.

My kid is the same age. Was driving a friend home and passed it after the cops arrived. Said it was really bad. It’s a fine line you walk between bubble-wrapping your kids and letting them grow up. I can’t imagine what the parents are going through.

No names due to ages and ongoing investigation I am guessing? Pretty damn brutal. My daughter goes to Walker High and likely knows her.

Very sad New Years for all involved. If the deceased ran the light but the other driver was the one impaired. Besides the standard DWI what other charges can be brought against the not at fault driver?

Gosh that is right down the street from my office. Prayers. God sakes people if you are drinking take an Uber!

Why does the drunk driver always live?

quote:

---

They said impairment is suspected in one of the drivers.

---

It was the girl that died.

quote:

---

The other driver must feel awful, but it doesn't seem like they are at fault

---

I can only imagine. I came close to doing the same thing years ago. Old baw took a left onto Gardere from Highland (in front of St Jude) with a fogged up right side window; he didn’t see me. Had I been 0.2 seconds sooner I would’ve T-boned him at 50.

Her dad posts here, so careful what y'all post about her. I know he is going through hell.

Prayers

quote:

---

Her dad posts

---

I would advise him to stay tf away from this place for a while...

quote:

---

Her dad posts here

---

hopefully he stays away. Not a good place to be when you’re dealing with grief in a situation like this.