On Friday, January 2, 2026, shortly after 6:00 a.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on U.S. Highway 425 near Louisiana Highway 3051. The crash claimed the life of 6-year-old Harrison Thomas III of Crowley, Texas.
The initial investigation revealed that a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling north on U.S. Highway 425. For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet failed to negotiate a left curve, began rotating counterclockwise, and overturned.
Thomas, who was unrestrained in the front passenger seat, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet, who was also unrestrained, suffered minor injuries. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana law requires that every occupant in a motor vehicle be properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Child safety seats offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash; however, approximately 3 out of 4 car seats are not used correctly or used at all.
Children should remain in properly fitted and installed child safety seats and booster seats until they are nine or have outgrown the height or weight limits of a child restraint system or belt-positioning child booster seat as set by the manufacturer. For more information regarding Louisiana child passenger restraint system laws, recommendations, and to find the nearest Child Safety Fitting Station, please visit www.lahighwaysafety.org.
