Pregnant teen shot in head during Louisiana road rage incident rushed to hospital to deliver premature baby—mom not expected to survive

A pregnant teen is scheduled to be taken off of life support after being shot in the head during a road rage incident near Ponchatoula, Louisiana over the weekend.  

Katelynn Strate, 17, was transported to North Oaks Medical Center in critical condition. At seven months pregnant, she delivered her child during an emergency C-section after doctors placed Strate on life support to save the baby's life. The baby girl was born at just 3 pounds and 11 ounces, but was described as healthy, the Advocate reported.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office (TPSO) arrested Barry West, 54, of Tickfaw, on charges including four counts of attempted second-degree murder, one count of illegal use of a weapon, and obstruction of justice. He was subsequently booked into jail, according to a press release.

The 17-year-old victim was traveling down North Hoover Road in the Ponchatoula area with two other individuals in a Ford Expedition at approximately 9:00 am on August 24. They encountered West, who was traveling in the same direction in a silver Dodge vehicle. The investigation has determined that West fired one round into the Expedition traveling in front of him, where the victim was seated in the front passenger seat, after the two vehicles were tailgating and brake-checking each other. Upon realizing that the victim had been shot in the head, the driver immediately contacted 911 and transported the victim to the hospital, the sheriff's office said.

As a result of the investigation, officials said, it was determined that while West believed the occupants of the vehicle in front of him had shot at him first, evidence has confirmed there were no other shots fired in the incident. Additionally, there was no weapon in the vehicle the victim was traveling in, according to authorities.

"This is a senseless tragedy," said Sheriff Gerald Sticker, who added there is "no logical reason for this family to be experiencing this heartbreaking right now. The public has to be patient and considerate when driving, at all times, and if there is a concern for your safety, call 911 and report the concern."

The Sheriff's Office said West's charges "will be upgraded if and when the victim's condition worsens."

Katie Cancienne, a longtime family friend of the Strate family, told the Advocate that Katelynn and her boyfriend were headed to his mom's house when the tragedy occurred.

"[Strate's] mother is devastated," Cancienne said. "She just lost her baby and now she's a grandmother." 

"These kids were just driving on their way to the interstate and drove past the wrong guy," said Cancienne, who reported that Katelynn will likely be taken off life support on Tuesday.

Friends have launched a GoFundMe to help support the family. Additionally, Cancienne told the paper she is hosting a baby supply donation drive on Saturday, Aug. 30, at First United Methodist Church located at 201 E. Pine St., Ponchatoula. The event is scheduled to occur from 10 am to noon.