EAST BATON ROUGE, LA (April 7, 2026) – A single-vehicle crash in East Baton Rouge Parish claimed the lives of three people Monday night, authorities said.
Deputies with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office responded to the 15600 block of River Road near Gardere Lane and L’Auberge Crossing at approximately 8:40 p.m.
Officials reported that the vehicle failed to navigate a curve, left the roadway, and struck a utility pole, causing catastrophic damage.
Zacariah Johnson, 20, and a 15-year-old passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. A 30-year-old man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries. The coroner confirmed the third fatality on Tuesday.
Investigators believe speed was a contributing factor. Toxicology results are pending.
