Five people are dead and six people are injured following a three-vehicle accident on LA Highway 29 in Avoyelles Parish yesterday. Trooper Casey Wallace says a Ford pickup being driven by 21-year-old Derrick Kyle, Jr., of Cottonport was northbound when he crossed the centerline, striking an oncoming van.
“It was raining, it was a curve, the adult driver and the adult passenger did pass away, so it is just going to be hard to tell exactly what happened. Distracted? Lost control? There’s just so many different things that could have happened,” said Wallace.
Kyle and 20-year-old Jada Cook of Marksville were both killed. A third truck passenger, a juvenile, sustained serious injuries.
After the initial collision and both vehicles came to a stop in the highway, a Toyota Corolla struck the van, with the driving sustaining minor injuries. Wallace says the van that was hit head-on was carrying seven passengers.
“Three of the seven did succumb to their injuries. The other four received critical injuries and they were transported to a local hospital,” said Wallace.
Those victims were identified as 60-year-old Steven Freeman and 55-year-old Hayward Petre, Jr., both of Ville Platte, as well as 50-year-old Jacoby Mayes of Eunice.
Troop E Troopers have investigated 25 fatal crashes resulting in 31 fatalities so far in 2020. Wallace says the message to the public is just to keep aware of what is going on when you are on the road.
“In just a split-second, things can happen so quick, so just keep a heads up and be aware of your surroundings,” said Wallace.
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