NORWOOD, La. — Louisiana State Police say a 15-year-old passenger was killed Tuesday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash involving a flatbed tow truck on Louisiana Highway 19 near Thompson Creek Road in Norwood.
According to Louisiana State Police Troop A, the incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on December 30, 2025. Troopers responded to the scene to investigate a crash involving a 2022 Ford F-550 flatbed tow truck that left the roadway and overturned.
Sequence Of Events
Based on the preliminary investigation, troopers reported that the Ford F-550 was traveling south on LA 19 near Thompson Creek Road when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway.
The truck then re-entered the roadway, crossed both lanes of travel, and left the roadway again on the left side, where it struck a tree and overturned. The impact and rollover caused major damage to the vehicle.
Investigators have not yet released information about possible contributing factors such as speed, distraction, or roadway conditions. State Police noted that the cause of the crash remains under active investigation.
Driver And Passenger Were Unrestrained
Troopers said the driver of the tow truck was not wearing a seat belt. The driver was ejected from the vehicle during the crash, sustained serious injuries, and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. No update on the driver’s condition has been released at this time.
A juvenile front-seat passenger, identified only as a 15-year-old, was also unrestrained. The teen suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.
State Police did not release the names of the individuals involved, consistent with standard practice in cases involving juveniles and ongoing investigations.
Impairment Not Suspected, Toxicology Pending
Louisiana State Police reported that impairment is not suspected at this time. However, as is standard procedure in fatal crashes, routine toxicology samples were obtained from the driver. Those samples will be submitted for laboratory analysis.
Results from toxicology testing typically take time and may be used by investigators, along with crash reconstruction, witness statements, and vehicle inspections, to determine any contributing factors.
Ongoing Investigation
Troop A continues to investigate the crash and has not yet announced whether any citations or charges will be issued. No additional vehicles were involved, and no other injuries were reported.
Crashes of this type often involve a detailed reconstruction process, which can include measuring skid marks, mapping the scene, and examining the vehicle’s mechanical condition. Investigators may also review data from the truck, if available, to better understand its speed and movements before impact.
Louisiana State Police have not released further details but stated that the incident remains under investigation.