Acadia Parish, Louisiana - On January 9, 2025, Billy Kritzer, a resident of Youngsville, Louisiana was arrested in connection with a fatal crash that resulted in the death of 59-year-old Gilbert Price, Jr. of Rayne, Louisiana. The incident occurred on November 19, 2024, when Louisiana State Police began an investigation into a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 90, near Ebenezer Road.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Kritzer was driving a 2002 Ford Escape eastbound on the highway when, for reasons currently under investigation, his vehicle crossed the centerline into the westbound lane. This led to a head-on collision with Price's 2000 GMC Sonoma. While Kritzer was wearing his seatbelt and sustained serious injuries, Price was not restrained and tragically sustained fatal injuries, being pronounced dead at the scene.
Subsequent to the crash, toxicology samples were collected from both drivers to analyze their blood for substances. Results revealed that Kritzer had illegal narcotics in his system at the time of the crash. The findings prompted law enforcement to secure an arrest warrant for Kritzer. On January 9, he was booked at the Acadia Parish Correctional Facility on charges of vehicular homicide and reckless operation.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, with authorities examining all aspects of the incident to determine the precise factors that contributed to this tragic event.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.