Livingston Parish, LA (February 16, 2026) – Three people, including a mother and her young son, were killed on Sunday afternoon in a fiery wrong-way crash on Interstate 12 near mile marker 32 in the Albany area. Authorities say the devastating collision occurred when a vehicle entered the interstate via an exit ramp and traveled against traffic before striking a motorhome head-on.
Key Details
- Location: I-12 westbound near mile marker 32, Albany area, Livingston Parish, LA
- Time: February 15 at approximately 1:40 p.m.
- Vehicles Involved: Passenger vehicle and motorhome (RV)
- Fatalities: Jamie Pourciau of Albany, Bailey Lassabe of Albany, and her nine-year-old son
- Injuries: RV occupants sustained minor injuries
- Road Impact: Interstate 12 closed for roughly six hours
What We Know So Far
- The passenger vehicle reportedly entered I-12 westbound using an exit ramp and continued traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes.
- The vehicle collided head-on with an RV before catching fire.
- Three occupants of the passenger vehicle were trapped inside and died at the scene.
- The RV driver and passengers were able to exit safely with minor injuries.
What’s Not Yet Confirmed
- What led the vehicle to enter the interstate in the wrong direction.
- Whether impairment, medical emergency, or confusion played a role.
- Additional findings from the ongoing crash investigation.
Local Context
Interstate 12 serves as a major east-west corridor through Livingston Parish, carrying both local and through-state traffic. Wrong-way crashes on interstate highways are particularly dangerous due to high travel speeds and limited reaction time for drivers. Incidents near interchange ramps, such as mile marker 32 in the Albany area, often require extended closures while investigators document the scene and crews clear debris.
What to Do Next
- Move to a safe location immediately if you encounter a wrong-way vehicle and alert authorities as soon as possible.
- Remain alert when approaching interstate ramps and follow posted directional signage carefully.
- Document the scene only if safe to do so and provide accurate information to investigators.
- Seek medical evaluation after any high-impact collision, even if injuries seem minor at first.
FAQ
Q: Why are wrong-way crashes often more severe?
A: Wrong-way crashes frequently occur at highway speeds and involve head-on impacts, which significantly increase the force of collision and risk of fatal injuries.
Q: How do drivers accidentally enter a highway in the wrong direction?
A: Wrong-way entries can happen due to missed signage, confusion at interchanges, impaired driving, or unfamiliarity with road layouts.
Q: Why are highways sometimes closed for hours after fatal crashes?
A: Fatal crashes require detailed investigation, evidence collection, and debris removal. Fire damage and vehicle recovery can also extend closure times to ensure the roadway is safe to reopen.
