UPDATE: Patterson – On July 25, 2024, shortly after 10:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop I were notified of a two-vehicle fatality crash on U.S. Highway 90 near Lori Lane. The crash claimed the lives of 77-year-old Anthony Peck of Franklin and 58-year-old Betty Hester of Benton, KY.
The preliminary investigation revealed that 43-year-old Marcela Yepes-Restrepo of Texas, who was driving a 2019 Kenworth 18-wheeler east on U.S. Hwy 90, was attempting to make a U-turn from a center turn lane. At the same time, a 2019 Kia Sorento, driven by Peck, was traveling west in the left lane of U.S. Hwy 90. For reasons still under investigation, the Kia struck the right side of the 18-wheeler as it was making the U-turn.
Peck and his front-seat passenger, Hester, sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. Two juvenile passengers in the rear of the Kia were transported to nearby hospitals with moderate to severe injuries. Yepes-Restrepo was uninjured in the crash. All occupants involved were properly restrained.
Although Yepes-Restrepo was determined not to be impaired, she provided a voluntary breath sample, which showed no alcohol present. A standard toxicology sample was collected from Peck and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation and potential charges are pending.
ORIGINAL STORY: KQKI News has confirmed that two victims died Thursday night as a result of a vehicle accident involving an 18-wheeler near Patterson. Just before 10:30 pm, first responders were dispatched to Highway 90 westbound just outside of the Patterson city limits, in reference to a two-vehicle accident, including an 18-wheeler.
While details are limited as of Friday morning, a spokeswoman with Louisiana State Police Troop I tells KQKI News that two people died in the crash and State Police Troop I will release more information as it becomes available.
Along with Louisiana State Police, Patterson Police Department, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, Patterson Volunteer Fire Department, Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department and Acadian Ambulance responded to the scene.
We will update the story as we are able to obtain additional information. You can view our live report from the scene below.