State police in Louisiana are asking for assistance in identifying the suspect involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed two people.

Early this morning, just before 4:00 a.m., officers from the Louisiana State Police Troop L started probing a deadly collision involving two vehicles on I-12 close to LA Hwy 445 in Tangipahoa Parish. Chandler Garcia, 21, and John Russo Jr., 23, both from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, unfortunately lost their lives in the crash.

The preliminary examination indicated that the collision happened when Russo was heading east on Interstate 12 in a 2008 Ford F-250. Simultaneously, an unidentified vehicle was also moving eastwards on Interstate 12 ahead of the Ford. For yet unexplained reasons, the Ford hit the back of this unidentified vehicle. Following the first collision, the Ford veered off the right side of the road and rolled over. The unidentified vehicle left the scene after the incident.

LSP indicated that none of the individuals in the Ford were wearing seat belts. Garcia and Russo were unfortunately killed due to the impact of the crash and declared dead at the site of the scene. Another person inside the Ford suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. A standard toxicology test was taken from Russo for examination. The crash is still under investigation.

Louisiana State Police Troop L is requesting anyone who has information concerning this crash reach out to them at (985) 893-6250, or to get in touch with their local police department.