A church camp homecoming for a Kentwood pastor's family ended in tragedy when their pickup left Louisiana Highway 9 near Athens and slammed into a tree, killing two family members and injuring three others. The victims, 22-year-old Katie Barber and 14-year-old Benson Brady, were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash has stunned Lifeway Apostolic Church and shaken the close-knit Kentwood community.
According to the Louisiana State Police, Troop G troopers were called out around 11:35 a.m. on June 20 after a 2022 Ram pickup traveling south on LA 9 ran off the roadway and hit a tree. Barber, of Tylertown, Mississippi, and Brady, of Kentwood, were passengers and were properly restrained, but both suffered fatal injuries. The driver and two other passengers were taken to a local hospital with what authorities described as moderate injuries. Troopers said impairment is not suspected, though standard toxicology samples were collected as part of the ongoing investigation.
A fundraiser organized by the South Central Region of the Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship reports that one person hospitalized after the crash has since been released, while two others remain under observation. One of those patients is listed in critical care following surgery for collapsed lungs, a hole in the liver and a broken back. Local coverage, including reporting by WBRZ, notes the family had been driving home from Camp Apex in Conway, Arkansas, when the pickup veered off the road. Neighbors and church members have been mobilizing to help cover mounting medical and funeral expenses.
Kentwood Responds
Kentwood officials posted on Facebook that the town is “saddened” by the loss and is praying for Pastor Tim Brady and the Lifeway church family, according to WBRZ. Church members have flooded the family with messages of support, while neighbors organize meals and other day-to-day help for those who are grieving and those still in the hospital. The shock has rippled into nearby towns where Pastor Brady and his family are well known.
Investigation And Safety
The Louisiana State Police say the crash remains under investigation and have urged drivers to avoid impaired, fatigued or distracted driving, stressing that basic precautions can be the thin line between life and death. Troopers have provided contact information for Troop G's public affairs office for anyone with information that might help the case. Officials have not released any additional details about possible mechanical issues or other contributing factors.
How To Help
A donation page on Zeffy has been launched to support the Brady family and Lifeway Apostolic Church, with the South Central Region of the Worldwide Pentecostal Fellowship listed as the organizer. The fundraiser notes that Zeffy does not charge a fee, so contributions go directly to the intended recipients. Those looking for updates or hoping to offer local, in-person help are being directed to church leaders and community organizers who are coordinating the response.
