Laplace, Louisiana – A 21-year-old Baton Rouge woman died Tuesday night in a fiery head-on crash on Interstate 10 west after a wrong-way driver entered the highway and struck her vehicle near Laplace in St. John the Baptist Parish.
Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to the multi-vehicle crash just before 11 p.m. on September 23, 2025, near milepost 210. The incident claimed the life of Patricia Saidu and left another driver with serious injuries.
According to preliminary investigation findings, a GMC Yukon entered I-10 traveling in the wrong direction from US 51 in Laplace. The SUV began driving east in the westbound lanes while Saidu was traveling westbound in a Nissan Altima near milepost 210.
The two vehicles collided head-on, causing both cars to catch fire immediately after impact. Emergency responders arrived at the scene but were unable to save Saidu, who suffered fatal injuries and died at the crash site.
The GMC driver sustained serious injuries in the collision and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The extent of their injuries and current condition has not been released by authorities.
State police investigators have not yet determined whether either driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Officials also have not confirmed whether impairment played a role in the incident, as toxicology test results remain pending.
Wrong-way crashes represent some of the most dangerous types of highway incidents due to the high speeds and direct impact involved. These collisions often result in severe injuries or fatalities because drivers have little time to react when vehicles approach from unexpected directions.
The Louisiana State Police continue investigating all aspects of the crash, including the circumstances that led to the GMC entering the highway in the wrong direction. Investigators will examine physical evidence from the scene, vehicle data, and witness statements as part of their comprehensive review.