Acadia Parish, Louisiana – One pedestrian was killed and one was injured in a crash in Acadia Parish after a vehicle collided with a disabled vehicle on LA 367.
Louisiana State Police Troop I was alerted to a collision involving two vehicles on Louisiana Highway 367, close to Max Road in Acadia Parish, just after 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2023. The unfortunate incident ended in the tragic death of Kentaysia J. Wildridge, a 21-year-old resident of Crowley, Louisiana.
In the preliminary probe by the State Police, it was found that Wildridge and another individual were standing near a broken-down Ford Fusion, a vehicle they had been in earlier. The Fusion was positioned in the north-facing lane of LA 367 and had its hazard lights on. Shortly after, the Fusion was rear-ended by a Chevrolet Malibu traveling northbound, driven by 22-year-old Justice James from Eunice, Louisiana. Both Wildridge and the accompanying pedestrian were hit during the crash.
The Acadia Parish Coroner’s Office declared Wildridge dead at the incident location. The other individual on foot was critically injured and taken to a nearby hospital. A child, who was safely secured in a child seat in the back of the car, was also brought to a local hospital, having sustained only minor injuries. LSP indicated that it is currently unclear whether drugs or alcohol were a factor, and a sample has been taken for toxicology tests.
Despite not being restrained, James only sustained minor injuries and declined any medical aid. He gave an appropriate breath sample that showed no traces of alcohol, and there was no evidence of any impairment. The crash is currently still under investigation, and potential charges are yet to be determined.
So far in 2023, Troop I has conducted investigations into 33 deadly crashes, which led to the deaths of 38 individuals.