Jonesville Man and a Juvenile Killed in Catahoula Parish Crash

TROOP E NEWS RELEASE

June 22, 2024

Catahoula Parish – On June 21, 2024, at approximately 11:13 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 84 west of Louisiana Highway 913. The crash claimed the lives of 58-year-old Fredrick Washington of Jonesville and a 5-year-old juvenile passenger of Latrobe, PA.

The initial investigation revealed that a 2018 Kia Soul, driven by 25-year-old Viktoria Jones of Latrobe, PA, was westbound on U.S. Highway 84. For reasons still under investigation, the Kia crossed the centerlines into the eastbound travel lane and collided head-on with a 2011 Nissan Maxima, driven by Washington.

Jones, who was not restrained, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Two juvenile passengers in the Kia, who were restrained, sustained moderate injuries and were transported to a local hospital. An additional juvenile passenger in the Kia, who was restrained with a lap belt only, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Washington, who was not restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. Three juvenile passengers and one adult passenger, who were not restrained, sustained serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Routine toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis.

While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving. A lapse in one’s awareness can have deadly consequences.

While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.

In 2024, Troop E Troopers have investigated 30 fatal crashes, resulting in 33 fatalities.

Contact Information:

M/T Casey Wallace

Louisiana State Police

Public Affairs Section

Office: (318) 266-7275

[email protected]