An 11-year-old boy from Pioneer was killed Tuesday evening when the pickup he was riding in crossed the centerline on Louisiana Highway 17 in West Carroll Parish and crashed head-on into an oncoming truck, according to state troopers. The child, identified as Bracen Hagood, was the unrestrained front-seat passenger in a southbound Toyota Tacoma that struck a northbound Chevrolet Silverado. He was airlifted to a hospital, where he died later that night. The Tacoma's driver, who was also not wearing a seat belt, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. The driver of the Silverado had only minor injuries. State police say the crash is still under investigation.
What state police say
In a news release from the Louisiana State Police, troopers with Troop F said they were called shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday to a crash on Louisiana Highway 17, south of Forest Cemetery Road. Investigators say a 2017 Toyota Tacoma heading south crossed the centerline and hit a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado head-on, seriously injuring the Tacoma's occupants. Impairment is not currently suspected, but routine toxicology samples were taken from the drivers and sent for analysis.
Victim and hospital update
Local reporting identified the child as 11-year-old Bracen Hagood of Pioneer and noted that troopers learned he had died from his injuries shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday, according to KPEL 96.5. The station also reports that the Tacoma's driver was not wearing a seat belt and was seriously hurt, while the driver of the Silverado had minor injuries.
Seat belts and safety context
Troopers and state safety officials are again stressing a basic rule that often gets ignored: everyone in a moving vehicle needs to be properly restrained, and children under 13 should ride in the back seat whenever possible. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission tracks trends in seat belt and child-restraint use and offers guidance on proper fit, along with information on local fitting stations. The agency's materials emphasize that correctly used restraints greatly cut the risk of serious injury or death in a crash.
Investigation ongoing
Troopers with Troop F say the investigation into the collision is ongoing and confirm that routine toxicology samples were collected as part of the case, according to the Louisiana State Police release. Anyone with information is asked to contact the LSP Public Affairs office listed in that release.
