Two die in U.S. 90 crash in Patterson

The Thursday night crash that closed U.S. 90 in Patterson killed two people, including a Franklin man, state police say.

The fatalities were identified by Louisiana State Police Troop I as Anthony Peck, 77, Franklin, and Betty Hester, 58, Benton, Kentucky.

The Troop I account said that just before 10 p.m. Thursday, Marcela Yepes-Restrepo of Texas was eastbound on U.S. 90 in a 2019 Kenworth 18-wheeler and attempting to make a U-turn from a center turn lane near Lori Lane.

A 2019 Kia Sorento driven by Peck, and in which Hester was a passenger, was traveling east on U.S. 90 and struck the right side of the 18-wheeler for reasons yet to be determined.

Peck and Hester, who was in the front passenger seat, sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. Two juvenile passengers in the rear of the Kia were transported to nearby hospitals with moderate to severe injuries. Yepes-Restrepo was uninjured in
the crash. All occupants involved were properly restrained. 

Although Yepes-Restrepo was determined not to be impaired, she provided a voluntary breath sample, which showed no alcohol present. A standard toxicology sample was collected from Peck and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation and potential
charges are pending. 

While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in the state, troopers said. Louisiana State Police troopers urge all motorists to stay alert while driving. A lapse in one’s awareness can have
deadly consequences. 

Troop I has investigated 22 fatal crashes resulting in 24 fatalities in 2024.