Local man involved in fatal car accident
Published 5:50 am Friday, October 21, 2016
Special to The Daily News
A 20-year-old Bogalusa man was involved in a three-vehicle crash in Tangipahoa Parish that killed a Tickfaw man Wednesday, according to information from the Louisiana State Police. The Tickfaw man was reportedly evading law enforcement officials, and the Bogalusa man was not at fault in the accident.
Trooper Dustin Dwight, of the public affairs section of Troop L of the LSP, said that shortly before noon Wednesday, troopers from Troop L were contacted by the Hammond Police Department to investigate a fatal crash that occurred on Louisiana Highway 1065, near the intersection of Sims Lane in Tickfaw. The crash claimed the life of 21 year-old Tickfaw resident Darious Rashaad Ashton.
Prior to the crash, officers with the Hammond Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a 2002 Ford Focus driven by Ashton. Ashton refused to yield to the stop and fled in his vehicle northbound on Highway 1065, Dwight said.
Dwight said that Ashton turned onto Sims Lane in an attempt to further his escape. While on Sims Lane, Ashton turned back toward Highway 1065. On re-entering Highway 1065 from Sims Lane, Ashton failed to stop at the stop sign and was subsequently struck by a 2004 Honda Accord driven by 20-year-old Bogalusa resident Trey Thomas.
After the impact with the Accord, Ashton’s vehicle was again hit by a northbound GMC dump truck driven by 36-year-old Independence resident Daniel Funderburk, Dwight said.
Dwight said that Ashton was not restrained at the time of the crash. He sustained severe injuries and was transported to North Oaks Health Systems in critical condition. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Ashton succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the emergency room doctor.
Thomas was properly restrained at the time of the crash. He was also transported to North Oaks Health systems, where he was treated for minor injuries. Funderburk was not injured.
As part of the on-going investigation, blood samples were obtained and will be sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.