Manchac, Louisiana - Shortly before 9 p.m. on November 22, 2025, a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 northbound, just before the Manchac Bridge in St. John the Baptist Parish, resulted in the deaths of two people and left others with serious injuries, according to information released by Louisiana State Police.
The crash occurred near milepost 14.4 on I-55 north. Troopers’ preliminary investigation found that an Infiniti SUV was traveling north, behind a Honda CR-V, when for reasons that remain under investigation, the Infiniti struck the rear of the Honda.
After the initial impact, the Infiniti moved into the left northbound lane, where it was hit on its left side by a Nissan Maxima. The force of that secondary impact caused both the Infiniti and the Nissan to become engulfed in flames.
Authorities said 88-year-old Lula Kinchen of Hammond was a passenger in the Nissan Maxima. She suffered serious injuries in the crash and was transported to a local hospital, where she later died.
The driver of the Infiniti sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. State Police have not yet released that driver’s identity, noting that it is being withheld pending further investigation and proper notification procedures.
The driver of the Honda CR-V, who was properly restrained, was not injured in the incident. Seat belts, often the single most effective safety feature in a vehicle, can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a crash, but investigators said it is currently unknown whether the occupants of the Infiniti and the Nissan were restrained at the time.
Because of the severity of the collision and the fire that followed, troopers have not been able to confirm restraint use for those inside the Infiniti and Nissan. Toxicology samples were collected as part of the standard investigative process in fatal crashes, and test results are pending.
Louisiana State Police have not released additional details about factors that may have led to the initial rear-end collision between the Infiniti and the Honda.
Authorities have not announced any charges.