LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. – Two were killed and one man is behind bars after a crash involving two passenger vehicles and an 18-wheeler on Friday night.
Louisiana State Police (LSP) stated in a press release that around 11:20 p.m. on Friday, it began investigating a multi-vehicle crash on I-12 near LA 43 in Livingston Parish. The crash claimed the lives of a 54-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man, both from Beavercreek, Ohio, and led to the arrest of 24-year-old Daniel Dennison of Amite City.
LSP said its preliminary investigation revealed that a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by Dennison, was traveling eastbound on I-12, east of LA 43, in the right lane. At the same time, a 2024 Mercedes Sprinter Van, was traveling eastbound on I-12, in the left lane, alongside the Chevrolet.
For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet entered the left lane directly into the Mercedes’ path before continuing into the median. The Mercedes also entered the median. Both vehicles struck the cable barriers, causing the Chevrolet to come to a stop. The Mercedes overturned and continued beyond the cable barriers into the westbound lanes of I-12, directly into the path of a 2018 Kenworth tractor-trailer traveling westbound on I-12. The Kenworth then struck the Mercedes, according to the release.
The female driver of the Mercedes was properly restrained, while the male passenger was unrestrained. Both suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the Kenworth was properly restrained; the passenger of the Kenworth was unrestrained. Both suffered minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Dennison was unrestrained, sustained minor injuries, and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. During the investigation, Dennison was determined to be impaired and was subsequently arrested. After being cleared from the hospital, he was booked into the Livingston Parish Jail for Careless Operation, Driving While Impaired (first offense), Vehicular Homicide (two counts), Simple Possession of Marijuana, No Seatbelt, and No Insurance. Routine toxicology samples were collected from all drivers and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
