Concordia Parish, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police Troop E arrived at the scene of a three-vehicle crash on March 18, 2024, around 7:00 p.m. The collision occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 425 and U.S. Highway 84, resulting in the tragic death of Jason Tyson, aged 44, from Ferriday, Louisiana.

The first examination showed that Ben Ceasor, 29 years old from Ferriday, was driving a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria and was being sought by the Tensas Parish Sheriff’s Office for aggravated assault with a firearm. A deputy from the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office recognized Ceasor and pulled him over at EE Wallace Road and Texas Avenue. Ceasor then fled from the traffic stop and crashed into a 2017 Ford F250 and a 2020 Ford F150 after running a stop sign at U.S. Highway 425 for reasons that are still being investigated.

Ceasor, whose use of restraints is not clear, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. The driver of the Ford F250 and a young passenger in the Ford F150, who were both wearing seatbelts, also sustained moderate injuries and were taken to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the driver of the Ford F150, who was also wearing a seatbelt, sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene. 

Toxicology samples were taken and sent for analysis.

Ceasor was taken into custody on March 19, 2024, and faced multiple charges including fleeing from an officer, hit and run, causing death and injury with a vehicle, providing false information to law enforcement, disobeying a stop sign, and unlawfully possessing a firearm. The incident is still being investigated.

The Louisiana State Police are emphasizing to all drivers that taking mind-altering substances can alter your driving behavior. Alcohol, prescription drugs, and other substances can impact the body in ways that hinder driving abilities, such as impairing vision, altering perception of time and space, reducing fine motor skills necessary for driving, and slowing reaction times. It is recommended that drivers plan ahead and appoint a designated driver who is sober to avoid potentially fatal outcomes.

So far in 2024, Troop E Troopers have investigated 14 deadly crashes which led to 16 deaths.