Calhoun, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on Friday, December 20, on Interstate 20 eastbound, just west of the milepost 103 exit. The incident claimed the life of 22-year-old Braydyn McIlroy of Sunbury, Pennsylvania.
According to preliminary findings from Louisiana State Police Troop F, McIlroy was driving a 2023 Toyota Corolla in the right eastbound lane of I-20. Investigators say the Corolla had its emergency flashers activated while traveling on the interstate. At the same time, a 2022 Ford F-150 was also moving eastbound behind the Toyota.
For reasons that remain under investigation, the Ford struck the rear of the Corolla in the right lane. The impact resulted in severe damage to the smaller vehicle.
Troopers reported that McIlroy was properly restrained at the time of the crash but sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ford F-150, who was also properly restrained, was not injured.
State police noted that impairment is not suspected for either driver based on the initial assessment at the scene. However, as is standard procedure in fatal crashes, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. Results from those tests have not yet been released.
Authorities have not provided additional details about what may have led up to the collision, including why the Corolla’s emergency flashers were activated or the speed of either vehicle at the time of the impact.
Interstate 20 is a major east–west route through northern Louisiana, carrying both local and long-distance traffic. Crashes on high-speed interstates can be especially severe due to speed, traffic volume, and the mix of passenger vehicles and larger trucks.