Tragedy struck Lafourche Parish as two lives were abruptly ended in a catastrophic collision on Louisiana Highway 1, near the intersection with Louisiana Highway 3185. Louisiana State Police Troop C reported the incident involving a 2015 Nissan Altima and a 2018 Cadillac XTS on a Thursday evening. The devastating consequences resulted in the fatality of 19-year-old Trent Truxillo and 44-year-old Johnnie Bennett Jr.
The Louisiana State Police's initial examination of the incident pointed to excessive speed and a red light run as determinant factors in the deadly encounter. Reports indicate that Truxillo was speeding southbound on LA Hwy 1, while Bennett Jr. was simultaneously making his way eastbound on LA Hwy 3185. The two vehicles collided when Truxillo, who is suspected of impairment, disregarded a red traffic signal, and crashed into the Bennett's Cadillac.
Both drivers, who were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, were pronounced dead at the scene from their injuries. A passenger in Truxillo’s vehicle, who was secured by a seatbelt, managed to survive but sustained critical injuries, and was swiftly transported to a hospital for emergency care. Toxicology samples have been collected for analysis to confirm impairment, a factor that nearly tallies with half of the fatal crashes in Louisiana.
