Police: Impairment suspected in Washington Parish crash that killed one, injured another

A Louisiana State Police trooper attends the funeral of a colleague in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. As the Louisiana State Police reel from a sprawling federal investigation into the deadly 2019 arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene and other beating cases, dozens of current and former troopers tell The Associated Press of an entrenched culture at the agency of impunity, nepotism and in some cases outright racism. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

by: Kylee Bond

Posted: Dec 12, 2022 / 11:52 AM AST

Updated: Dec 13, 2022 / 04:25 PM AST

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FRANKLINTON, La. (WGNO) — A Washington Parish man is dead and another was injured after Louisiana State Troopers say they were involved in a crash on LA Highway 25 Sunday night.

According to LSP, the crash happened near the intersection of LA 25 and CC Road, south of Franklinton just before 9 p.m.

It was there that detectives say 68-year-old James Tate of Franklinton was traveling south on the highway in a Ford F-150. At the same time, Joel Smith Jr., a 56-year-old Madisonville man, was traveling north in a Ford F-250 on LA 25.

We’re told as the two trucks approached each other, Smith’s Ford F-250 cross the center line and collided with Tate’s Ford F-150.

Although wearing a seatbelt, Tate sustained fatal injuries in the crash. He was transported to an area hospital where he later died.

Smith was moderately injured in the crash and was also treated at a local hospital. Detectives say Smith may have been intoxicated during the crash. Routine toxicology samples were collected from both drivers with results pending.

LSP continues to investigate the crash.

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