Kentwood, LA (June 22, 2026) – Two passengers died and three other people were hurt Saturday morning, June 20, after a pickup truck left Louisiana Highway 9 and struck a tree.
The crash happened around 11:35 a.m. near Louisiana Highway 518. A 2022 Ram pickup was traveling south when it left the roadway for reasons that are not clear at this moment.
Katie Barber, 22, of Tylertown, Mississippi, and Benson Brady, 14, of Kentwood, were both passengers who were properly restrained at the time. Both died at the scene.
The driver and two other passengers, also properly restrained, were taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries. Impairment isn't suspected, though standard toxicology samples were collected as part of the process.
Louisiana State Police continue to look into what caused the truck to leave the road.
Our condolences go out to the families of Barber and Brady.
What Legal Options Do Families Have After a Fatal Crash in Kentwood, LA?
Families who lose a loved one in a single-vehicle wreck can pursue a wrongful death claim, since liability can still rest with the driver if negligence such as fatigue, distraction, or a road hazard contributed to the crash.
Surviving family members may be entitled to recover damages for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the financial support each would have continued to provide, even though both were passengers rather than drivers. Louisiana law allows these claims to move forward regardless of who was operating the vehicle, since fault doesn't depend on where someone was seated.
It can make a real difference to preserve evidence early, this includes the vehicle itself, any data recorded by its onboard systems, photos of the surrounding roadway, and the responding troopers' field notes before they're finalized into a report. A wrongful death lawyer can send preservation requests to prevent the vehicle from being repaired or scrapped before it's been examined, which matters when the cause of the crash hasn't been determined yet.
Families face a lot of uncertainty after a fatal crash in Louisiana, and at Parker Alexander Attorneys at Law we understand that feeling. Our team is available to review your case and help you walk through your potential next steps.
If you want to know more, you can reach Parker Alexander Attorneys at Law at (318) 625-6262.
Note: Our team utilizes outside sources when creating these accident posts. Our team has not independently verified all of the facts surrounding this accident, therefore, if you find any information that is inaccurate, please contact Parker Alexander Attorneys at Law right away so that we can update the post with the most accurate information available. The post will be removed if requested.
Disclaimer: The photo used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. The information provided in this post is not intended to be medical or legal advice. If you have been injured in an accident, please seek medical attention immediately. This post is not intended to be a solicitation for business.