TROOP I NEWS RELEASE UPDATE
May 18, 2021
Teenage Driver Responsible for Fatal Crash Arrested on Multiple Charges
Lafayette -- Earlier this morning, the juvenile driver who fled from the scene of a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 167 on May 10, 2021, was arrested on a felony arrest warrant at Troop I. The juvenile was transported to the Lafayette Juvenile Detention Center and booked on the following charges:RS 14:32 – Negligent Homicide
RS 14:100 – Hit And Run
RS 14:69 – Illegal Possession Of Stolen Things
RS 14:39 – Negligent Injuring – 3 counts
RS 108.1 – Flight From An Officer
RS 32:61 – Maximum Speed Limit
RS 32:52 – Driver Must Be Licensed
RS 14:99 – Reckless Operation
Unrestrained Passenger Dies and Three Injured in St. Landry Parish Crash
St. Landry Parish – On May 10, 2021, just after 2:00 am, Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on U.S. Highway 167 near LA Highway 749. The crash claimed the life of 15-year-old Trashawn Harrison of Abbeville, LA.
Prior to the crash, a Trooper observed a Ford Explorer traveling northbound on Hwy 167 at a high rate of speed and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued; however, it was soon terminated by the Trooper due to inclement weather and unsafe speeds. After ending the pursuit, the Trooper discovered the Explorer had traveled off the roadway, struck a parked vehicle, overturned, and struck a utility pole before coming to rest. Further investigation revealed the Explorer was stolen from within the city limits of Abbeville hours prior to the crash.
At the time of the crash, the Explorer was occupied by four juvenile passengers including Harrison who was unrestrained and ejected from the vehicle. Three other passengers were also unrestrained and were transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The suspected juvenile driver fled the scene on foot and is being sought by investigators at this time. The crash remains under investigation and criminal charges are pending.
Troop I has investigated 23 fatal crashes resulting in 29 deaths in 2021.
Contact Information:
TFC Thomas Gossen
Louisiana State Police
Troop I Public Affairs
Office: (337) 262-5880
thomas.gossen@la.gov
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