A Franklinton woman died in a single vehicle crash Friday afternoon on Louisiana Highway 426.

Jackie Cotton, 50, was traveling eastbound on La. 437 when she apparently failed to negotiate a curve in the road and lost control. According to Louisiana State Police Troop L, Cotton’s 2002 Infinity traveled into the westbound lane and she overcorrected, causing the vehicle to rotate clockwise and leave the roadway, where the Infinity struck a tree and overturned, coming to rest on its passenger side. Cotton was ejected.

Police say Cotton, the only occupant of the vehicle, was not wearing a seatbelt. She was pronounced dead at Riverside Medical Center.

Alcohol is not considered a factor; however, a blood sample was collected and a toxicological analysis will be done.

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists of the importance of seatbelt use. Louisiana law requires that every person in a motor vehicle (cars and trucks) regardless of seating position, always to remain buckled up (day and night). Statistics show that the chances of surviving a violent crash rise significantly when properly restrained.