1 Killed in Car Accident on I-12 in St. Tammany Parish, LA

 St. Tammany Parish, LA — April 24, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 11:50 A.M. on I-12.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person dead during the late-morning hours of April 24th. According to official reports, a Ford F-150 with three occupants was traveling on I-12 in the eastbound lanes near the LA Hwy. 59 exit, when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and left the roadway and struck a tree.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that two adult passengers and a toddler had sustained serious injuries and they were transported to the hospital for treatment where the child later succumbed to their injuries. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including what caused the collision and the status of the occupant’s injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle leaves the roadway and strikes a fixed object—particularly resulting in the death of a child and serious injuries to others—the need for a thorough, evidence-based investigation becomes critical. The April 24th crash involving a Ford F-150 on I-12 near the LA Hwy. 59 exit is an example of how quickly a highway incident can escalate into a life-altering event. To understand the true causes behind this crash, and whether it could have been prevented, investigators must answer three fundamental questions.

First, was the scene thoroughly examined to determine how and why the vehicle left the roadway? High-speed corridors like I-12 demand close attention to factors such as road surface conditions, shoulder design, weather, and visibility. Investigators must reconstruct the vehicle’s path—including any signs of evasive steering, braking attempts, or tire blowouts—to understand whether the loss of control was gradual or sudden. It’s also essential to assess whether the driver may have been reacting to an external event, such as a swerving vehicle or road debris.

Second, has anyone examined whether a mechanical or system failure contributed to the crash? A sudden loss of control could stem from brake malfunction, steering failure, or issues with tire integrity. For a vehicle like the Ford F-150, which is typically stable under normal conditions, any deviation from expected behavior raises important questions about how the vehicle’s safety systems performed—especially with a child onboard. Investigators should also evaluate whether seatbelt systems and child restraints functioned properly, and if the severity of injuries was influenced by system failure or improper installation.

Third, has all available electronic data from the vehicle been retrieved and reviewed? The F-150 is likely equipped with an electronic control module (ECM), which can store pre-crash information such as speed, throttle position, braking effort, and steering input. This data provides crucial insight into whether the driver took action to prevent the crash and whether the vehicle responded accordingly. Additional sources, such as traffic camera footage or dash cams, may also offer visual confirmation of what led up to the incident.

When a crash results in the loss of a child’s life and serious injuries to others, every effort must be made to understand all contributing factors. These three questions—focused on scene analysis, vehicle condition, and electronic data—are the foundation of any thorough investigation. Only by pursuing answers on all fronts can we ensure accountability, understand what went wrong, and take meaningful steps to prevent future tragedies.