Police lights activated on an Evansville Police Department vehicle.

A pregnant teen who was shot by a driver during a road rage incident in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, has died, authorities confirmed.

According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, the 17-year-old victim was identified as Katelynn Strate, who was shot in the head during the encounter on Aug. 25.

Police said she was riding in a Ford Expedition with two other people when they encountered a man, 54-year-old Barry West, inside a silver Dodge Truck traveling in the same direction.

The cars were "tailgating and brake-checking each other" when West fired "one round into the Expedition traveling in front of him, where the victim was seated in the front passenger seat," the sheriff's office alleged.

Baby is 'doing well'

Strate was taken to the hospital, where she underwent an emergency C-section. Authorities said her 28-week-old baby survived and is "doing well."

The teen was initially said to be in critical condition, but the sheriff's office announced on Aug. 26 that she died and became an organ donor. A GoFundMe for the family has raised more than $42,000 at the time of publication.

"We are now seeking help to cover funeral expenses for Katelynn, medical bills, and the essential baby items needed by her grandmother, who will now be caring for the baby," the fundraiser said.

Authorities upgraded the driver's charges

West was arrested and charged with one count of illegal use of a weapon and obstruction of justice and four counts of attempted second-degree murder, according to the sheriff's office.

Following Strate's death, he was also charged with one count of second-degree murder.

Ponchatoula is a city about 50 miles from New Orleans.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pregnant teen shot in the head during road rage incident has died, police say

Reporting by Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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