Published: 05-22-2026 | Category: Troop L
Slidell – On May 22, 2026, at 4:40 a.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop L responded to a fatal crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 10 just east of the Interstate 10, Interstate 12, and Interstate 59 interchange in St. Tammany Parish. The crash claimed the life of 63-year-old Deborah H. Severio of Ponchatoula.
The preliminary investigation revealed that three separate crashes occurred in the same general location along Interstate 10. The initial crash was a single-vehicle crash involving a Toyota 4Runner that became disabled in the roadway. Severio, who was driving a Toyota RAV4 east on Interstate 10, was approaching the 4Runner, began to slow and was struck in the rear by an Audi A6.
Following both crashes, and before emergency personnel arrived, Severio and all drivers exited their vehicles. For reasons still under investigation, Severio was standing between her vehicle and the Audi when a Nissan Titan approached the crashed vehicles and struck the rear of the Audi. The Audi was pushed forward, striking Severio and the RAV4.
Severio sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. The only passenger in the RAV4 sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of the 4Runner and the Nissan were properly restrained and uninjured. Impairment is not suspected for the driver of the Nissan, who provided a breath sample of .000 g%. Routine toxicology samples were obtained from all drivers for analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.
Troopers urge pedestrians and motorists to exercise caution near roadways to help prevent crashes and injuries. Pedestrians should wear reflective materials, avoid distractions, and walk facing oncoming traffic while keeping a safe distance from travel lanes. Motorists are reminded to stay alert when approaching disabled vehicles or pedestrians on the roadside. If you are involved in a crash and the vehicles are movable, safely move them out of the roadway to help keep travel lanes open and reduce the risk of secondary crashes. If you witness any hazardous situations, please dial *LSP (*577) to report them to the Louisiana State Police.
Contact Information:
Trooper Marc Gremillion
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section – Troop L
Phone: (985) 893-6250
[email protected]