West Monroe man charged for fatal LA Highway 151 crash

MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On September 9, 2025, Noah Short was charged with Vehicular Homicide following an accident that occurred on June 22, 2025.

On Sunday, June 22, 2025, Short was traveling south on LA 151 when his vehicle crossed the center line. His vehicle struck the vehicle of 36-year-old Rachel Rushing, who was traveling north in the northbound lane. She was pushed off the road.

Rushing was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger with Rushing was airlifted to LSU Oschner in Shreveport with critical injuries. According to the trooper, video footage from a residence at 353 LA 151 showed Short completely in the northbound lane when they made impact.

During the investigation, the trooper made contact with Short, who stated he was driving south on LA 151 while texting someone. According to authorities, Short stated he dropped his phone and attempted to reach down and pick it up. While picking it up, his vehicle crossed the center line. He allegedly did not have enough time to avoid the collision when he noticed he had crossed over the lines.

Short willingly submitted to a blood test at St. Francis Medical Center approximately two hours after the crash. Results were received by Troop F on July 9, 2025, and they showed Short’s BAC to be 0.07%. Short was booked at the Ouachita Correctional Center on an active FTA warrant for DWI. His criminal history shows he had been arrested on two other separate occasions for DWI on February 11, 2017, and September 29, 2020. Short was operating his vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.

Short will appear in court on September 10, 2025.