Two From Louisiana Killed in Crash on LA 182, Both Unrestrained

Louisiana - On July 9, 2022, Louisiana State Police reported that Troopers from LSP Troop I were notified of a single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 182 near Nap Lane in St. Landry Parish at 10:30 p.m. on July 8, 2022. Krisalyn Thomas, 19, and Joseph Chevis, 56, both of Opelousas, Louisiana, were killed in the crash.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred while the two were traveling east on LA 182 in a 1998 Dodge pickup. Chevis ran off the road after failing to negotiate a curve for unknown reasons. The pickup then collided with a tree and began to rotate before landing on its roof on the ground.

Both Chevis and his passenger, Krisalyn Thomas, were determined to be unrestrained by troopers. Chevis was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Landry Parish Coroner's Office. Thomas was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, but she died as a result of her injuries. Speed is thought to have been a factor in the crash, but impairment is unknown. Standard toxicology samples were obtained for analysis, and the crash is still being investigated.

While not all crashes are survivable, proper seat belt use can greatly increase the chances of survival by spreading the forces across the body's strong bones. Seat belts that are properly worn also help to keep vehicle occupants in their seats and protect the head and spine. Please be a responsible driver or passenger and buckle up every time you ride.

Troop I has investigated 24 fatal crashes so far in 2022, resulting in 28 deaths.