Marksville, LA (5/13/2024) – Jury selection is set to commence tomorrow, Tuesday, May 14, in the highly anticipated trial of State of Louisiana v. Christopher McCoy at the 12th Judicial Court of Avoyelles Parish, with Judge William Bennett presiding. The trial will proceed upon the selection of a panel of 12 jurors.
Christopher R. McCoy, 23, hailing from Bunkie, found himself at the center of a tragic incident on April 7, 2023. Behind the wheel of a GMC Sierra on Louisiana Highway 1176, McCoy’s vehicle veered off the road, careened into a ditch, collided with a culvert and a tree, and ultimately flipped onto its roof.
While McCoy sustained moderate injuries in the accident, his passenger, 22-year-old Lauren Vaughn of Alexandria, tragically succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigations revealed that McCoy’s blood alcohol content at the time of the incident was 0.15%.
In the aftermath, on June 7, 2023, Louisiana State Police Troop E apprehended McCoy on charges including vehicular homicide, DWI first offense, reckless operation, failure to wear a seat belt, and possession of an open container. McCoy was subsequently booked into and released from the Avoyelles Parish Jail upon posting bond.
Despite the severity of the charges against him, McCoy entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ to all counts on August 22, 2023. Additionally, during the pre-trial hearing on April 11, 2024, McCoy opted to decline a plea offer.
Expressing the family’s anguish and determination for justice, Bridget Vaughn, Lauren Vaughn’s mother, stated, “Our family is anxious for the trial to begin as we will have to relive our worst nightmare in the days to come, but we have faith in the justice system and in the Avoyelles Parish District Attorney’s office to bring justice for Lauren. The loss of Lauren’s life was 100% preventable. It was a poor decision made by an individual to drive intoxicated. As a community, we must put an end to buzzed, drunk, and impaired driving.”
Throughout this arduous ordeal, the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Foundation has been a beacon of advocacy and awareness. The foundation, committed to preserving Lauren’s memory, has actively supported justice in this case while raising awareness about the perils of drunk driving. Notably, the foundation honors Lauren’s legacy through a scholarship in her name and promotes responsible decision-making regarding alcohol consumption and driving.
For more information about the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Foundation, visit LV5k.com.
As proceedings are set to unfold, the trial serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the pursuit of justice for those impacted by such tragedies.
