Published: 08-18-2025 | Category: Troop B
Reserve – On Sunday, August 17, 2025, around 7:15 pm, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop B began investigating a three-vehicle crash on US 61, near LA 3179 in St. John the Baptist Parish. The crash ultimately claimed the life of 59-year-old Roxann Thompson of Des Allemands.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Thompson was a passenger in a 2010 Honda Ridgeline, traveling north in the left lane on US 61 near LA 3179. At the same time, a 2021 Nissan Altima was traveling north in the center two-way continuous turn lane on US 61, near LA 3179. For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the Nissan changed lanes and entered the left northbound lane of US 61, impacting the Honda. The initial impact caused the Honda to rotate across the center continuous turn lane and impact a 2020 Hyundai Elantra that was traveling south on US 61.
Thompson suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where she later died. The driver of the Honda, the driver and passenger of the Nissan, along with the driver and three juvenile passengers in the Hyundai, all sustained serious injuries and were transported to local hospitals. As part of the ongoing investigation, routine toxicology samples were obtained from all drivers for analysis. Due to the severity of the crash, it is unknown whether the drivers and passengers of the Nissan and Honda were properly restrained. The driver of the Hyundai was not properly restrained, and the three juvenile passengers were not properly restrained in child safety seats. This crash remains under investigation.
Wearing seat belts correctly can significantly improve your chances of survival and reduce injury severity. Ensure that the seatbelt is correctly positioned across your hips and shoulders, and make sure that children are securely fastened in appropriate car seats. These measures are crucial for arriving at your destination safely. Additionally, distracted and inattentive driving remains a leading cause of crashes in our state. These simple precautions and adhering to all traffic laws can significantly enhance road safety. Please remember that each Louisiana State Police Troop is equipped to provide car seat checks and installations. Many Troopers are nationally certified child passenger safety technicians, and free car seat checks are available at designated locations or by appointment.
Contact Information:
Trooper First Class Jacob Pucheu
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section – Troop B
Office: (504) 471-2775
[email protected]